An Irish priest, newly arrived in New York City, decided to visit the section known as the Bowery, haven for homeless alcoholics and addicts. As he walked along one of the Bowery’s streets one dark night he suddenly felt a gun at his back. A raspy voice said, “All right mister, give me all you money.” Quickly he reached for his wallet and, as he did, the holdup man noticed his clerical collar. The thief was overcome with shame. “Forgive me, father,” he said, “I didn’t know you were a priest.” To which the victim replied, “That’s all right man, just repent of your sin. Here have one of my cigars.” “Oh, no thank you, father,” said the thief, “I don’t smoke during Lent.”
The girl knelt in the confessional and said, "Bless me, Father,
for I have sinned."
"What is it, child?"
"Father, I have committed the sin of vanity. Twice a day I gaze at
myself in the mirror and tell myself how beautiful I am."
The priest turned, took a good look at the girl, and said, "My
dear, I have good news. That isn't a sin... it's simply a mistake."
The question arises here. What is the difference between sin and a mistake?
Sin is a deliberate act. This is an act with will and knowledge.
Mistake is something that just happens may be because of negligence and carelessness. . It is not a deliberate and willful act.
The story of the prodigal son is a wonderful explanation of what is sin and reconciliation. Let us take good look at the whole thing.
Sin –Seven stages of Sin
1. Self-will---v.11-- 'Father, give me my share of the estate.'
2. Selfishness—v. 13-- the younger son got together all he had,
3. Separation– v. 13.b - set off for a distant country
4. Sensuality– v. 13.c -- there squandered his wealth in wild living.
5. Starvation– v. 14 -- After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need
6. Surrendering one’ own dignity- v.15, -- So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
7. Slavery—v. 16-- He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything
Reconciliation -- seven stages of reconciliation
1. Re-sensing—v. 17 -back to one’s own sense-- When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death
2. Resolution– v. 18—I will set out and go back to my father and say to him:
3. Repentance—v. 18b-- Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you
4. Return------ v. 20-- So he got up and went to his father.
5. Re-union– v.20b -- But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him
6. Re-clothing--- v. 22-- 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet
7. Rejoice– v. 23-24, -- Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate
In a confession we have the encounter of ourselves and God’s forgiveness. The most beautiful line in the parable is what the father says to the elder son, “all I have is yours”. Our heavenly Father says also to us, “All I have is yours”. This is a most beautiful promise and stunning invitation. We are not told at the end of the parable whether or not the elder son went in to the party. After reading this parable we also have a choice to make, whether to stay outside or to go in to enjoy the Father’s party. But the best offer of happiness is from God our Father, “all I have is yours”. The Eucharist is a great sign of sharing God’s life with us and god’s forgiveness.
