Again with the Eyelashes

Hello friends,

I just have to share how awesome the gift of Reconciliation is. It's a sacrament that I have come to appreciate more and more as I get older. I remember when I was younger being scared, embarrassed, shy, and a whole host of feelings. Now I realize that this is all the result of sin. Reconciliation forces you to be accountable for what you've done.

I remember a couple things Fr. Mike Renninger said about Reconciliation. One is that the guilt we feel is a great thing. It's God's way of bringing our attention to something that really doesn't sit well with us or with Him. It's our conscience knocking on our heart saying, "Hey...that wasn't cool what you did. You shouldn't have done that. Go make things right." Guilt is pointless unless there is action to follow it. This brings me to Reconciliation which means "again (re) with (con) the eyelashes (cilia)." This sacrament allows us to be that close with God, close enough that your eyelashes can touch.

Lent is a time for us to ask for God's mercy and forgiveness. I know some of you may not be comfortable with Reconciliation but, I would encourage you to do an examination or conscience and do with it what you will. I feel like I always forget to do these examinations but, it really makes me stop and think about how I've been living my life. If I were to be tried for being Catholic, would I be convicted?

Love and Joy,
Lauren