A Channel for God’s Mercy – Weekly Message for September 8, 2015

Dear Fellow Digital Pilgrim, Pax Christi:

While you are reading this, I am beginning my annual, eight-day, silent retreat. I want you to know that I will be praying for all of our digital missionaries and pilgrims during these special days. Venerable Fulton Sheen used to say that “A Priest is not his own.” I feel that truth every day. And during these Spiritual Exercises, I will continue to live that truth by praying not just for myself, but also for everyone that we strive to serve through this digital apostolate.

One place I feel that truth intensely is inside the confessional, on the priest’s side of the screen. When a priest celebrates the sacrament of reconciliation, he feels his own inadequacy and smallness, but he also feels – almost tangibly, sometimes – the immense and immensely gentle power of God. To be a channel for God’s mercy in that sacred moment never ceases to be humbling and awe-inspiring.  

When I was writing and filming our newest Retreat Guide, From Sorrow to Joy: A Retreat Guide on the Sacrament of Confession, I tried to keep those experiences in mind. Knowing how wonderfully and intimately God works through this sacrament makes me feel palpable sadness (and some frustration) when I meet people who stay away from it, for any reason. I hope and pray that From Sorrow to Joy will remind you of the many graces God has in store for you every time you go to confession, help you live the sacrament better, and be a tool for you to share with others who may have distanced themselves from that unique fountain of mercy.

Thank you all, once again, for being part of this endeavor to evangelize the digital continent. Please do count on my prayers. And also please know how much we at RC Spirituality value and are grateful for all your support, both spiritual and material.

Peace in Him, Fr John