For March 12, 2000,  Repent!

Genesis 9-8-15 First Peter 3-18-22 Mark 1-12-15

Today, the first Sunday of Lent, Jesus tells us, "The time is fulfilled, …repent, and believe in the gospel."

This week, the Vatican published "Memory and Reconciliation: The Church and the Faults of the Past—"

The Church as the bride of Christ, is "holy and immaculate." But you and I and our predecessors, are sinners.

The harm caused by our sin "poses obstacles on the road to salvation for everyone."

... the "accumulation and concentration of personal sins" can produce social problems, and problems within the Church.

This is the reason for the "honest and fruitful examination of conscience" sought by the Holy Father in the Great Jubilee.

Confession of sin is necessary in begging God's forgiveness.

There are times when Church leaders acted improperly. In recognition of those faults, we who "feel themselves bound to the baptized of yesterday" by bonds of Christian solidarity-- should seek pardon.

In doing so, the Holy Father holds the Church within "the authentic spirit of the Biblical Jubilee, which calls for the performance of acts intended to reestablish God's original design for creation." The Joy of the Jubilee is joy based on forgiveness of sin.

The ultimate goal is to allow "reconciliation with God" and the promote unity among men-- especially among baptized Christians.



Woman of the New Advent, Mother of God,
God-bearer, bearer of light, of truth, of life
and of wisdom -- Humanity stands at a
threshold, a threshold of hope and love; the
threshold of a new millennium in which your people,
the people of your God, may walk as
the Church in unity, in love, in peace, and in
deepest respect for one another and for all life.
May our dreams of peace be realized, may our
prayers for the coming of the Kingdom of your
Son and our God be answered in our hearts
and in the world God's love has created.

AMEN.