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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus straightened up and said to her,

“Where are they? Is there no one left to condemn you?”

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“No one, sir,” she answered.

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“Well, then,” Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either.

Go, but do not sin again.”

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– John 8:10-11 (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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Jesus words are full of gentleness and clemency,

a manifestation of God’s infinite mercy and forgiveness.

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Every day, in every corner of the world,

Jesus, through His ministers the priests. continues to say

I absolve you from your sins…

‘Go’, says Our Lord, ‘but do not sin again.’

It is Christ Himself who forgives.

The sacramental formula, I absolve you…

and the imposition of the hand

and the sign of the Cross made over the penitent

show that at this moment the contrite and converted sinner

comes into contact with the power and mercy of God.

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It is the moment at which, in response to the penitent,

the Trinity becomes present in order to blot out sin and restore innocence.

And the saving power of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus

is also imparted to the penitent…

God is always the one who is principally offended by sin

– and God alone can forgive! (St. Pope John Paul II)

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Few words have ever produced more joy in the world

than the words of absolution, I absolve you…

How glad am I to receive these words when I go to the sacrament of forgiveness?

How grateful am I?

How often have I thanked God for having this sacrament so close at hand?

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Finally, a gentle word of advice:

it is good for us to remember

that even “small” sins can have big consequences.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Jesus, my Saviour, thank You for making Your mercy so lovingly available.

Thank You, for Your forgiveness, Lord,

and for guiding me back on to the right path.

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… … … … … … … … … … … …… …

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Note: The main source of today’s REFLECTION is the seven-volume work

“In Conversation with God” by Padre Francisco Fernández Carvajal.