We’re back in ordinary time in the church. But can we really just call it ordinary? I mean, is it normal time? Since Jesus has come into the world, since He has entered into time, there is nothing ordinary about it. All time since He has come is redeemed time. And that means that Jesus has ordered this time toward the salvation of all humanity. Not that all humanity will be saved, as they have to continually make a choice toward God in all that they say and do. Yes, we are in redeemed time, but will we accept his redemption whole heartedly? That is the question put before us.
Jesus desires us to come to know Him and to be prepared to welcome Him at the end of time. He desires that we be redeemed and brought to Heaven. Will we be in Heaven? That is the billion dollar question!!! When we die, will we enter the pearly gates of Heaven? So what does the Church, which Jesus Christ established to be His vessel to have souls ready to meet Him, say. The way we can be prepared for Heaven is to have no mortal sin on our soul. We cannot go to heaven with any mortal sin! If we have mortal sin after baptism the only way to get rid of it is via the Sacrament of Confession. There is no other way! So if we want to be ready for Heaven we must not have any mortal sins on our souls. So what is a mortal sin. There are three conditions. 1. The sin must be grave matter (that is a sin against the Ten Commandments). 2. The person must know it is a mortal sin. 3. The person must will to commit the sin. If all three of these conditions are present, then a mortal sin has been committed. Then we must get to confession before we die, and since we don’t know when death will come, we should get to confession ASAP! And besides we cannot receive Communion in the state of mortal sin either.
Fr. Thomas P. Galarneault