2023 Daily Lenten Journey – Day 20

Every Friday during Great Lent I make myself available for the sacrament of Holy Confession. It gives me a chance to pray while I wait, and to pray with those who offer their confession to God. One thing is consistent with everyone who comes for Holy Confession. Everyone is a sinner.

With all the attention we place on prayer and fasting during Great Lent, it can be difficult to remember our sinfulness. I’m not just talking about confession the fact that we didn’t fast like we’re ‘supposed’ to fast, or pray like we’re ‘supposed’ to pray. I’m talking about the actions we take, or don’t take, that draws us away from God.

I also here people brush off the benefit of Holy Confession by joking, “I don’t have anything to confess.” Keeping with their humor I suggest we immediately commission their icon to be placed in the Church. Truth be told, we know we are all sinners, but so many choose not to take advantage of Holy Confession. I think today’s reading from the Gospel of Mark gives us a glimpse as to why people avoid Holy Confession.

At that time, as Jesus passed on, he saw Levi the son of Alphaios sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as he sat at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were sitting with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Mark 2:14-17

If we admit we are sinners, then we have to admit we are sick and need to be healed. It is easier to point fingers than to accept our illness. So, in the spirit of returning to the beginning, let’s remember one really important beginning. We are all sinners who need to be healed by God.