Cardinal Sean: Don't be overwhelmed by sin...

Image: The Prodigal Son by Edward Riojas (Click on image for larger version)

Speaking at a retreat in Texas for the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders, Cardinal Sean O'Malley advised retreatants not to be overwhelmed by sin:

Speaking about the parable of the Prodigal Son, he said that the true Catholic attitude is “not to be overwhelmed by sin no matter what our situation, because it is so clear that the Father of the Prodigal Son is not merely willing, but anxious to forgive.”

“The Father never imposes himself, but waits longingly, scanning the horizon for a glimpse of us, and upon spotting our return in the distance, rushes to meet us.”

Cardinal O’Malley recounted how his father was “very clear” about how often to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation: “When it was time to get a haircut, it was time to go to confession.”

He also advised people to be forgiving of others and not develop what he jokingly called “Irish Alzheimer’s,” defining it as “an unpleasant condition where you forget everything but your grudges!”
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(Read the complete report from CNA)

Just such preaching might be good material for the cardinal's plan for weekly nights of confession available in all churches of the archdiocese in the seasons of Advent and Lent in the year ahead.

-ConcordPastor