DOORS OF MERCY

HOMILY PREACHED AT COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICES AT OUR LADY OF THE LAKES CHURCH, WATERFORD, MICHIGAN DECEMBER 2015 – Fr. Lawrence Delonnay

On December 8^th, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to usher in the Holy Year of Mercy. On the following Sunday he went to St. John Lateran, the cathedral church of Rome, and opened the holy door there.  That same day Archbishop Vigneron opened the holy door at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.  Bishops around the world did the same.  The Holy Year of Mercy has begun.

God’s mercy is overflowing upon the world.  It is a free gift.  But it is not a gift thrust upon us.  There is a requirement that must be met before we can receive God’s mercy.  We have to confess, to admit at least to ourselves and to God in prayer.

In 1995, the South African government instituted the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  With the end of apartheid, the country was torn down the middle.  On one side was half the nation that were the victims of state sponsored racism and violence.  On the other side were the victimizers: the members of the military, police and officials in government.  The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was charged with healing the nation.  The Commission met with anyone who had been a victim and listen to their stories.  This went on for months.  At the end of this inquiry, charges were brought against anyone who was implicate with credible evidence from the Prime Minister down to lowly police officers.  Those facing charges were brought before the commission and evidence against them was presented.  If they pleaded not guilty to the charges, the case would continue to trial.  If they were found guilty, then the punishment earned would be imposed.  Yet, if they confessed, they were free to leave.

When this procedure was first announced, it was roundly questioned all over the world.  People thought that just walking away was unjust to the victims.  There was too much pain and suffering. The perpetrators would get off Scot free.

But a remarkable thing happened.  Over the time that the commission was in operation, real healing took place.  The victims had a chance to tell their stories to people who would listen.  The accused who wished a trial were offered one.  If they were found guilty, they were punished. Those who confessed were shown mercy and that changed their lives.

First there must be confession.  Mercy is never shown to the innocent.  They don’t need it.  It is only shown to those who are guilty, and admit their guilt.  Confession must come first.

In Sacred Scripture we hear about the “sin against the Holy Spirit” the unforgivable sin.  This is usually interpreted as the person who feels that their sin is so horrible that not even God can forgive them.  It is unforgivable because they cannot ask for forgiveness.  I think that there is another side to that coin.  That would be the person who feels that they have no sin.  My mother, God rest her soul, told me once. “Larry I am 86 year’s old.  I am too old to sin. I never do anything wrong.”  At that moment, God’s spirit came upon me and I bit my tongue.  If we say that we never sin, we cannot receive forgiveness.  Heck, I cannot get through the morning with doing something wrong.  Confession must come first.

We must be honest with ourselves and with our God.  We have to look at our lives, our hearts and souls and see what lays there.  If we find that we have sinned, then we need to confess it to God.  That is the only way that we can get it out of ourselves.

Then God’s mercy can flow in. Then God’s love can fill our hearts and heal us.  God’s mercy is far greater than our greatest weakness.  All we have to do is ask for it.  All we have to do is become honest with ourselves and with God.  All we have to do is confess.

Doors open out and open in.  The holy doors of mercy open in.  They open to let us in.  The price of admission is an honest confessions of our sins.