Fourteenth Tuesday in Ordinary Time

When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin, his altars became occasions of sin. Though I write for him my many ordinances, they are considered as a stranger's. Though they offer sacrifice, immolate flesh and eat it, the LORD is not pleased with them. He shall still remember their guilt and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt.

Just because we feel sorry for our sins doesn't mean they will be forgiven. Just because we confess our sins doesn't mean we are absolved. Just because we try to make things right with those we've sinned against doesn't mean we've paid the full price. We need contrition, confession, and penance, all together, to truly be forgiven. We can't leave out one or two of these elements of reconciliation and think we are freed from our sins. We need to be humble and contrite, firmly intending to avoid temptations and sin no more. We need to make a good confession, which means examining our consciences in a serious manner. We need to do our penance with a spirit of thanksgiving and joyfully. When all of these are present, then and only then are we forgiven.

Do we firmly intend to avoid temptations and evil? Do we make contrite and meaningful confessions? Do we seek to make amends with God and all whom we have harmed through sin?

O Lord, make our hearts into true altars of forgiveness.

Amen.