The following note in my email today is what makes it worth what I have to do to continue with this blog.
From a reader with my emphases:
Recently, after a long period away from the Church I have come back.
In an effort to learn, find inspiration and challenge myself I have been reading a lot more of and about the faith than I ever did before. One of the first things I came across was your column from 9/12/11 where a reader had written to say he had gone to confession again after 6 months. Sadly, I think I had honestly forgotten that the Sacrament of Reconciliation existed.
Anyways, yesterday for the first time in 8 years, I literally bawled my way through a confession.
And you know what that priest said to me, after I told him how long I had been away? “Well, welcome home.”
Not sure I’ve felt that accepted and at peace in, well, about 8 years. God’s mercy truly knows no bounds.
Do I hear an “Amen!”?
Let priests who don’t want to hear confessions read this and let them be stung in the heart: “Sadly, I think I had honestly forgotten that the Sacrament of Reconciliation existed.”