"The church is not a museum of saints, but a hospital for sinners……… The confessional is not a torture chamber, but the place in which the Lord's mercy motivates us to do better."

“Far better it is for you to say: "I am a sinner," than to say: "I have no need of religion." The empty can be filled, but the self-intoxicated have no room for God.” ― Fulton J. Sheen, Seven Words of Jesus and Mary: Lessons from Cana and Calvary

Gospel Text: (MT 9:9-13)

As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, "Follow me."
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
He heard this and said,
"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

When we can humble ourselves before the perfection of God and see our sins in the light of His glory, we will be tempted to despair and feel shame for our sin.  But shame will turn into joy and freedom when we allow our Lord to act as the Divine Physician in our lives.  The purpose of His earthly life was to bring healing to our wounds of sin.  When we realize how His perfect mercy perfectly heals us, we will readily run to Him.

Reflect, today, upon how ready and willing you are to confess your sin to Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Do not hesitate to trust in His perfect love for you and to open yourself up fully to His divine mercy.