Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of them, it can never make perfect those who come to worship by the same sacrifices that they offer continually each year. Otherwise, would not the sacrifices have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, once cleansed, would no longer have had any consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is only a yearly remembrance of sins, for it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats take away sins.

Merely following the commandments or making sacrifices isn't enough to take away our sins. We have to want to do God's Will above our own and then express that desire through the frequent reception of the sacrament of reconciliation. It is only by seeking to make ourselves right with the Lord that we can truly consecrate ourselves to God in body, mind, and spirit. In order to follow Christ to Heaven, we need to recognize our weaknesses and sins and seek to reform ourselves and make amends for our selfish ways.

What are the sins that we need to cleanse ourselves of? Are we taking every opportunity to express our contrition to God through the sacrament of reconciliation? Are we following through on our confessions and truly trying to amend our lives?

O Lord, help us to make good confessions.

Amen.