Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Homily – January 7, 2009 – St. Raymond Penyafort

Raymond of Penyafort was born near Barcelona, Spain around 1175. He became a canon of the diocese of Barcelona and then a member of the Dominican Order. At the request of Pope Gregory IX, he produced a collection of canon law. Being elected general of his order, he directed it wisely. His work Summa casuum which treats of the correct and fruitful administration of the sacrament of penance is the most notable of his works. He died in 1275 at the age of 100.

The first reading today from the letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians tells of the ministry of reconciliation that belonged to Jesus: that is why he came: to obtain forgiveness of sins for us and to make eternal life possible. The apostles and their helpers were to share in that ministry of reconciliation, both by re-presenting its source (at the celebration of Mass where the reconciling act of Jesus death on the Cross is once again made really present); and by the direct application of reconciliation by use of the sacrament of penance: the sacrament of reconciliation. Without the reconciliation man is doomed; with the reconciliation man is restored to friendship with God and an heir to heaven along with Jesus himself!

St. Raymond understood the depth of the meaning of the sacrament of reconciliation; and his was a ministry of gentleness and encouragement to sinners, all sinners. After preaching and administering the grace of the sacrament, St. Raymond, no doubt, warned his penitents to be watchful and alert so as not to fall into sin again – for the hour of Christ's second coming is not known. It will come at a time we least expect; it may come at a time of the greatest temptation to sin! Let us not be caught on the wrong side of reconciliation at that all decisive moment!

The kindness of the Lord is from eternity to eternity toward those who fear him!

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