2nd Sunday: Forgive!

By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB

Today we are invited to participate in the great work of salvation brought about by God through John the Baptist, the first cousin of Jesus.

John, a colorful cousin and a real desert dweller, fed on locusts and wild honey and wore camel's hair clothes.

His call from God was to remind people to be ready for Christ's coming. He called out, "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths."

Today's Gospel, according to St. Mark, reminds us that John the Baptist tell us to be repentant and to ask for forgiveness of our sins.

How?

By forgiving others. Remember what Jesus teaches later, when he gives us the Lord's Prayer: Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Questions for Reflection

Of whom am I called ask forgiveness?

Have I taken advantage of the Church's special Sacrament of Reconciliation recently?

What is keeping me from going to confession, or more appropriately, from celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation?