“I Am Sorry”

Message from Fr. Jose Koluthara, C.M.I.

Lord Jesus, help me acknowledge my guilt, atone for it and enjoy communion.   Amen.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The three little words “I am sorry“ have an almost incredible potential for transformation. But they often go unsaid, because they seldom roll easily off the human tongue. As a result wounds fester, grudges grow , revenge is plotted, alienation grows. “I am sorry” is a difficult language to master, and fluency comes only to the humble. “I am sorry” chokes in the throat of those who dare to say it because these words say, I am a work in progress, I am in need.

However difficult these words may be to speak and to mean them truthfully, “I am sorry” has the capacity to open up a virtual floodgate of goodness and blessing, because, acknowledgement brings atonement and atonement ends alienation and a new renewed bond can begin to grow again.

The process of moving from acknowledgment to atonement to communion is found in each of today’s readings. The author of 2 Samuel allows us to listen as Nathan, David’s court prophet, functions as a sort of external conscience, laying out before the king the details of his wrongdoing (2 Sam 12:7-10, 13). There is no measure of tack in the prophet’s words. Bluntly, clearly he declares the blessings from God that David enjoyed and, just as bluntly and clearly, Nathan condemned the way the king had conducted himself. To his credit, David is open to the truth about his sinfulness and he repents.

In today’s gospel (Lk 7:36-8:3), two sinners encounter Jesus’ forgiveness. One sinner is open in acknowledging her need and her guilt. Her tears express her sorrow and, as she ministers intimately to Jesus, anointing and kissing the feet, washing and drying them with her hair, her actions reveal her confidence that she has been forgiven.

In contrast to the sorrowful woman is Simon the host; he invited Jesus to his home but not into his heart. His lack of hospitality attests to his unwillingness to admit his need or his guilt. “I am sorry” remains unspoken, and it would seem that Simon has chosen to remain in his sin. If Paul had had the opportunity to speak to Simon and to reason with him as he did with the Christians in Galatia (2nd reading, Gal 2:16, 19-21) he might have told his fellow Pharisee that he could no longer rely on the law of salvation, no matter how scrupulously he observed it. Rather, Paul would say to Simon as he says to us, salvation i.e. justification, is God’s gift to sinners. That gift flows when faith moves the human heart to speak those three little words, “I am sorry”.

Return to Jesus With Repentant Hearts Jesus is always ready to grant forgiveness and pardon to those who sincerely repent. Are you able to help others to believe and return to Jesus with repentant hearts? If God is calling you, contact Fr. Hansoo Park 416-968-0997 Email vocations@vocations.ca or visit www.vocationstoronto.ca