Conclusion Drawn from the First Purgation


21: “Conclusion Drawn from the First Purgation”

St. Thomas More, of course, offers us an example of an openness to His Word, even when the world tells us to do the opposite. (photo. P. Smith)

                De Salles reminds us to “open your heart’s ears to hear in spirit the words of absolution.” What difference does it make to confess if we do not believe that we are forgiven? What height of pride have we obtained if we believe that our sins are too great to be forgiven? Always, reconciliation should be followed by our return to the Blessed Sacrament. Perhaps as teacher we should remind ourselves that if we have finished a lesson, the work is not done. We should listen to our students all the more and remember that the Grace with which we honestly and humbly listen to their praises and criticisms must be guided by the power of the Holy Spirit. That is, we should not pretend to rely on our own ego and pride to hear the words of our students; we must learn to listen with the ears of God so we can hear the full truth and Beauty of what they have to say.

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