It is Christmas! All are busy. All are preparing. People are busy in the malls buying gifts. Divisoria is also crowded with people looking for gifts for their godchildren. The Christmas tree in the house is already lit; Christmas parties are held everywhere in schools and offices; families are planning reunions. All these preparations, and the joyful atmosphere, are all because of the coming celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
However, aside from preparing ourselves, our homes and other gatherings, it is better to celebrate Christmas with a clean conscience. It is not only cleaning our surroundings and our homes which brings us a happy Christmas. More than this is to live a life filled by our Lord with grace. This happens when we approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation. According to the Catechism for Filipino Catholics (#1771-1772), through confession, we are forgiven our sins. If sin brings us farther from God, in confession, we are brought closer again to Him and we are able to live in his grace.
Related to our asking for forgiveness for the sins we committed is our forgiveness for those whom we have misunderstandings, those with whom we are not on speaking terms, or those with whom we are angry. The Lord himself says through a parable (Mt. 18:15-35) that we are forgiven through our reconciliation with others. If we do not forgive others, how can we ask or receive forgiveness for ourselves?
In the coming Christmas, let us approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Also, let us pray for the grace to forgive those who wronged us. Through these, we can truly have and experience a happy Christmas.
However, aside from preparing ourselves, our homes and other gatherings, it is better to celebrate Christmas with a clean conscience. It is not only cleaning our surroundings and our homes which brings us a happy Christmas. More than this is to live a life filled by our Lord with grace. This happens when we approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation. According to the Catechism for Filipino Catholics (#1771-1772), through confession, we are forgiven our sins. If sin brings us farther from God, in confession, we are brought closer again to Him and we are able to live in his grace.
Related to our asking for forgiveness for the sins we committed is our forgiveness for those whom we have misunderstandings, those with whom we are not on speaking terms, or those with whom we are angry. The Lord himself says through a parable (Mt. 18:15-35) that we are forgiven through our reconciliation with others. If we do not forgive others, how can we ask or receive forgiveness for ourselves?
In the coming Christmas, let us approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Also, let us pray for the grace to forgive those who wronged us. Through these, we can truly have and experience a happy Christmas.
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