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Fransalian International

"Be what you are, Be at its best!"      - St. Francis de Sales

Editorial  SFS Fr. Moget  Fr. General  Fr Archie St John's, Nagpur  Nimkheda Perpetual Profession in Brasil  England Bonteheuwel  Mission Institute  Jubilees in NE India  Mermier Opticals  MSFS Scholastics in Cameroon  Mumbai  Help in Andhra Pradesh  Cardinal Sin  Mozambique Fransalian Youth Ministry  North-East  Apostolate of Care and Healing  Confreres in Switzerland  SFS College  Vol. 9   No. 2  (2005)

Fransalian International

Good Christians often fall into the same sins. We have already seen one remedy: discover the cause or motive of sin, confess and root them out. This we saw in the last issue. There is still a complementary remedy quite effective. How do we take decisions in the sacrament of reconciliation? In the Act of Contrition we resolve: "I now firmly purpose by the assistance of your holy grace, never more to offend you..." Is it true? If so, why are the same sins committed again? Even before we resolve, we know well that we may fall again. Then, are we insincere? Not at all. In the Act of Contrition, we are expressing our fundamental attitude. It is true that we never want to sin again. But human nature is weak. We may fail again. So there is a special decision to be taken. That is the insight of St Francis de Sales.

We should make a strong resolution to correct our sins. We must begin correcting ourselves soon after we receive the absolution. We must go on correcting. Often we suppress or control rather than correct. It may lead to tension and repeated falls. The best way to correct ourselves is to change our mode or way of thinking. When we think negatively about a person, ill feelings arise in us. These feelings may lead to hatred, resentment, animosity. When we think positively, pleasant feelings arise in us. They lead to love, forgiveness, and kind deeds.

Another way of correcting oneself is to practise the opposite virtues. One who finds it difficult to forgive must go on correcting resentment through forgiveness. Similarly, we correct quick temper by gentleness, pride by humility, laziness by diligence and earnestness, lavish spending by thrift, miserliness by generosity, disappointment by confidence, timidity by courage and so forth. If need be the confessor or spiritual guide is to be consulted.

Thus, God's mercy, compassion, forgiveness and love experienced in the sacrament of reconciliation will be joined to our efforts. As the heavenly Father sees our feeble efforts to correct ourselves, He will be immensely pleased. Gradually he will strengthen us. He will come to set us free from our sins and failures. We will never more have the same litany of sins to confess. Marked improvement will be visible. Virtues will begin to shine in us and from us. Usually progress is slow. It takes time. Correcting has to go on for a long time. Consistency, endurance and perseverance in correcting ourselves will bring about marvellous results. Jesus will be living in us. We realize: Live Jesus.

(Fr. Antony Mookenthottam, MSFS)