Last weekend, I had the privilege of witnessing my granddaughter Maisy receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. It was such a beautiful moment. She was nervous but also excited as she stepped forward, preparing to encounter the love and mercy of Christ. When she emerged, her face was lit up with a big grin—a visible sign of the peace and joy she felt in her heart. It reminded me of the pure beauty of the sacraments. This is how reconciliation is meant to be: a joyful encounter with Christ where He wipes away our sins and restores us to His grace.
As we journey through Advent, this sacrament takes on even greater significance. Advent is a time of preparation, a season of hope and anticipation as we ready our hearts for the coming of Jesus. Just as we clean and decorate our homes to prepare for Christmas, we are also called to cleanse and prepare our souls. There is no better way to do this than by going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
In fact, inspired by Maisy’s courage, I also made time to receive the sacrament myself. We should always be good role models for our children and grandchildren. Even as a deacon, I feel the weight of my human frailty. It was humbling to kneel and confess my sins, but what a grace-filled moment it was to hear the words of absolution! I walked out of the confessional renewed, lighter, and filled with gratitude for the mercy of God. Every time I go to reconciliation, I am reminded that no matter how many times I fall, God is always ready to lift me up again.
Reconciliation is more than confessing our sins. It is a profound act of humility and trust in God’s infinite mercy. When we come before Christ in this sacrament, we acknowledge our failures but also our need for His love and healing. And just as the prodigal son was welcomed home with open arms, we, too, are embraced by the Father. He does not look at us with judgment but with the eyes of a loving parent, eager to set us free from the burdens we carry.
Advent reminds us that Christ came to bring light into our darkness, to redeem and renew us. Reconciliation allows us to experience that redemption in a deeply personal way. It is a chance to begin again, to let go of whatever separates us from God and to renew our commitment to living as His disciples.
Seeing Maisy’s joy after her first reconciliation reminded me that this sacrament is not something to dread or avoid but a gift to treasure. Imagine the peace we could carry into Christmas if we all approached reconciliation with the same nervous excitement Maisy had, trusting in the transformative power of God’s mercy. As we light the candles of our Advent wreaths, let us also light a fire in our hearts to seek God’s forgiveness. In doing so, we prepare not only for the celebration of Christ’s birth but for His presence in our daily lives. Make time for reconciliation this Advent. Let Christ wipe away your sins and fill you with the same peace and joy Maisy felt—because that is the true gift of the season. I know it was for me.
Blessings,
Deacon Mike
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