Dear Friend,

Reflection by Dianne M. Traflet, J.D., S.T.D.

As I near the end of my Advent journey, I find myself saying “I’m sorry” a lot, indeed much more than I could have anticipated at the beginning of the season. I’m humbled, but I’m also consoled. Our Catholic faith provides many opportunities for reconciliation and healing, particularly in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Each Mass helps us along our ever-deepening journey of healing.

In the early 1990’s, while I lived in Rome, I often would attend Mass with the Filipino Catholic Community. My initial reason for doing this was a practical one:  Mass was celebrated in English. But I realized as the months passed that I had another reason:  I was inspired by how this community prayed. No matter what age, these faith-filled individuals prayed with enthusiasm, cheerfulness, and focus. They greatly influenced how I continue to pray the Confiteor. They sang the prayer, first bowing to the tabernacle as they prayed: “I confess to Almighty God….”  Then, they would turn to the right and the left, and behind them, praying “and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do….”

Such a beautiful image of humility, one that reflects: “Before Mass continues, I want to look at God and each of you, acknowledging that I have sinned, and I want to do better.”  Bottom line: “I’m sorry, and I need God’s grace.”

The Confiteor reminds us that we are a community of faith, striving to come before the Lord together as a family in humility and love. Throughout Mass, we continue this journey of reconciliation, perhaps pausing as we pray the challenging words of the Lord’s Prayer: “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”  For me, this begs an examination of conscience:   Have I forgiven the individuals who have hurt me? Have I asked for forgiveness for the hurt I have inflicted? Before I receive the Sacrament of Love, have I truly reconciled with others? In all humility, have I turned to our Lord, and really prayed with my heart: “Forgive us!”   Have I asked the Lord to forgive all of us? Each of us? Have I asked the Lord to forgive me?

I remember a Jewish Scripture scholar in college helpfully explaining that Catholics believe that before they approach the altar of the Lord, and before they receive the Body and Blood of Christ, they must be reconciled with one another; this, he said, is where the Sign of Peace takes on immense importance. Here, Catholics offer not a superficial peace, but God’s peace. He emphasized that this offering is not a meaningless gesture, and it will precede a prayer of profound significance: “Lord, I am not worthy…”   He pointed the class to Luke 7:6-7: “Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my servant shall be healed.”   The words are both humbling, but also hopeful—and another opportunity for an examination of conscience. Do I approach the altar with humble confidence? Do I believe that the Lord wants to heal me? Am I grateful?

I do!  I believe!  Thank You, Jesus!

I continue my Advent journey with gratitude that Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, invites me into His loving presence. The Son of God wants to make His home in me, and to extend His peace to others.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, “I am not worthy that you should enter my roof;” please say the word to heal me and give me the grace to be reconciled with You and my neighbor. Prince of Peace, thank You for the gift of the Holy Mass. Please prepare me to receive You worthily, particularly on Christmas Day. Amen.

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Dianne M. Traflet, J.D., S.T.D., Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Administration and Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, earned a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, an M.A. in Catholic Theology and Pastoral Ministry from The Institute of Advanced Studies of Catholic Doctrine, St. John's University, and an S.T.L. and an S.T.D. from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (The Angelicum), Rome. Dr. Traflet is a key leader in the Center for Diaconal Formation, and she gives numerous lectures, retreats, and days of recollection, including some specific to wives of deacons and deacon candidates. She is the author of Edith Stein: A Spiritual Portrait (Pauline Media, 2008).