January 2, 2008

It’s the Bounce that Counts!

I pray every day for the gift of true contrition for my sins. Contrition is sorrow for sin. We should be remorseful when we commit a sin, make a mistake. Imperfect contrition is being sorry because of the fear of punishment. When I was a child I could put on a big display of repentance when I saw that I was caught and punishment was pending! Perfect contrition is sorry because of the hurt done to the Beloved. Yet, there are two directions in which we can err concerning contrition.

Firstly, some people are unwilling to admit a mistake. This person may go to the Sacrament of Confession, yet he will offer excuses and explanations of how he is not really at fault. Secondly, some people refuse to forgive themselves or to receive the forgiveness that our merciful Jesus so lovingly offers. This person may go to the Sacrament of Confession, yet he will hold on to the guilt. This is a tough struggle.

I recently heard Fr. Stan Fortuna preach on this topic. He said that we must not focus on the fall, rather on the getting back up. In basketball, every missed shot is an opportunity for a rebound. It’s the bounce that counts!

Let us pray for the grace of true contrition,

Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR

St. Joseph Friary, New York, NY

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