The Christ Who Calls Us To The Eucharist Also Calls Us To Penance

Father Richard J. REGO, Special Contributor

Published: December 9, 2004

Advent. The birth of Jesus is at hand. The Church, echoing the words of St. John the Baptist, bids us to get ready: “Make straight the path of the Lord.” Just as we prepare to greet our Eucharistic Savior by making a good confession, in like manner, let us prepare for His coming at Bethlehem.

St. Peter Julian Eymard, the great saint of the Eucharist, writes: “Let us bear in mind that the preparation for Communion that Jesus desires most to see in us is that of Mary when she said, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord’” (“Holy Communion,” p. 24).

The Heavenly Father found Our Lady to be a “worthy” Mother for His Son. Imagine. Immaculately conceived, she never committed the slightest venial sin. Thus, the Second Vatican Council insists that Mary must be our mother and our model. The eucharistic person must strive to imitate Mary by avoiding sin, both mortal and venial. Venial sins should never prevent us from receiving Holy Communion. Nevertheless, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “Venial sin weakens charity; it manifests a disordered affection for created goods; it impedes the soul’s progress in the exercise and the practice of moral good; it merits temporal punishment. Deliberate and unrepented venial sins dispose us little by little to commit mortal sin.”

In his “Introduction to the Devout Life,” St. Francis de Sales writes: “The Sacrament of Confession not only absolves venial sins but also strengthens you to avoid falling into the same sins again. It enlightens you to recognize your sins more clearly and repairs the damage they may have caused.”

Pope Pius XII was more emphatic: “To insure more rapid progress day by day in the path of virtue, We will that the pious practice of frequent confession, which was introduced into the Church by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, should be earnestly advocated. By it, genuine self-knowledge is increased, Christian humility grows, bad habits are corrected, spiritual neglect and tepidity are resisted, the conscience is purified, the will is strengthened, a salutary self-control is attained, and grace is increased in virtue of the sacrament itself” (Mystici Corporis Christi, N. 88).

Pope John Paul II, in his encyclical “The Redeemer of Man,” makes this abundantly clear: “The Eucharist and Penance become, in a sense, two closely connected dimensions of authentic life in accordance with the spirit of the Gospel and a truly Christian life. The Christ who calls us to the Eucharistic Banquet is always the same Christ who exhorts us to penance and repeats His “Repent.” Without this constant ever renewed endeavor for conversion, partaking in the Eucharist would lack its full redeeming effectiveness” (N. 20).

My dear friends, we are a church of sinners. Only the Virgin Mother of God is without sin. Pope Pius XII himself was in the habit of daily confessions. Whenever our Holy Father journeys to a diocese, invariably, he goes to confession to the local bishop. Why? The Book of Proverbs tells us: “The just man falls seven times a day and rises again” (24:16).

Yes. We are sinners. But we must become repentant sinners and acknowledge our need for cleansing and renewal. St. Luke reveals the words that are most pleasing to our Lord: “O God! Be merciful to me, a sinner” (Chapter 18).

During this Eucharistic year, let us reinvigorate our sacramental habits by making frequent and humble confessions. Begin now, during this holy Advent season. On the first Christmas day, Mary and Joseph greeted the newborn King with pure and sinless souls. Imitate the Holy Family by making a good confession before a priest of Jesus Christ. On Christmas Day, Jesus will enter your purified heart with great joy. The Son of God will make His Heart one with your heart during this holy season and for all eternity.

Father Rego is a priest of the Diocese of Tucson, Arizona.