Consider going to reconciliation as a family or with youth group or youth ministry. And then do something afterwards to celebrate this beautiful gift of grace from our Lord. Go out for pizza together or something similar.
Personally, my Lenten and Advent journeys are not complete until I receive the sacrament of reconciliation. For this is what Jesus died for – to save us from our sins. And during reconciliation I not only get to admit my sins and be freed from my shame. The priest often gives me wonderful insight into what is really going on with me and suggestions about how I might try to avoid my “repeat offenses”.
I know people who have had one of those big “reconciliation moments” which changed their whole lives. I used to feel like I was doing it wrong because I never had that. But then I learned that reconciliation can also be like life. I meet Jesus there in the ordinary and the simple. So I approach the sacrament a little differently than I used to. For me it is more like a little checkup every few months, to remember that I am flawed and I need God’s grace. And to look at what I am doing and what I need to change. And I do see over time that some things which used to be a real problem for me are not any more. So instead of expecting some big moment which completely changes me, I see it more as meeting my Lord when I am stumbling off the path and he gently points me back in the right direction and tells me he loves me.
No matter what your approach to reconciliation, take advantage of this sacrament. And teach the young Catholics in your life to appreciate it also. Be a good example and go together.
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