Today can be a time of self-reflection, assessment and correction. If we have been in sin, God in his mercy, is ready to receive and welcome us back, no less than Jesus welcomed sinners in his time. Let us pray we will allow God’s love and forgiveness into our lives. Let us also ask God for the courage to extend this forgiveness to others who have offended us. As forgiven prodigals, we must be forgiving people.

As we continue with the celebration of the Holy Mass, let us pray also for God’s divine mercy on those who have fallen away from grace. May their ears be opened so they may hear Jesus welcoming them back home. 

Let us confess our sins and regain peace and God’s friendship. The first condition for experiencing the joy and relief of having our sins forgiven is to see them as they are and give them up.

Let us ask for a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit every morning so that we may do the will of God, and let us conclude every day by asking God’s pardon and forgiveness for our sins of the day and resolving to receive the sacrament of reconciliation if we are in serious sin.

Let us also realize the truth that our brothers and sisters deserve and expect from us the same compassion, kindness and forgiveness that we receive from God.