Today's message from Jesus - The sacrament of Reconciliation

The first – You will know in your heart..., in your gut..., that when you meet Jesus,
you Will know who He is.

The second – Jesus gives his power to forgive - to Peter – to the Apostles – and down the line of succession to our Priests; to be that part of the body of Christ. Who hears, comforts, and releases the weight of sin from those who are truly seeking forgiveness. To give to His children new life so they may find their way home.

It goes right along with what Jesus said earlier when He told / showed us
how to pray in Matthew 6:7-15

On a personal note.

When I first became a Catholic and went to my first confession, I didn't give a genuine confession. What I mean by that is I went to the very fringes and went light by just skimming the surface. I thought there is NO WAY I'm going to tell this guy the things I have stuffed down deep inside. That stuff is buried under the dead dog and anything else I could grab and throw on top of it.

I was lying to myself by saying I could just forget about it and everything would be fine.

Fast forward 5 or 6 years later.
I didn't do "churchy things" but, I had promised a man I respected and loved as my own father that I would go on a mens retreat with him. At some point I went to confession and let it out. Because I made that simple decision and asked for forgiveness, Jesus was able to finally help me.

I gave it and He took it. The pain, anger and thorny weight I held deep down inside was gone. I left a changed man. I was happier and not the quick to temper man I was for the majority of my life. Together, we were able to pull me out of the hidden storm that was raging inside. I am a better man, son, brother, husband, and father because of Jesus's love and strength.

Today Message – Matthew 16:13-19