Crumbs and Confession

Having children means there will always be crumbs...lots of crumbs.  During the twenty years I have been living with crumbs, I have discovered it's benefits.  There is always an inexaustible buffet for the little ones crawling around and it keeps the vacuum close at hand.  It also reminds me of the sacrament of confession.

When Garrett was a baby, his personality as a wild child was evident from the start.  He was fearless in every way, except when it came to the vacuum.  He would climb on tables, jump into the pool like a mad man and loved to swing high in the baby swing.  Yet, he was petrified of the vacuum.

One day, when  Garrett had a party with the family size box of cheerios, I plugged in the always handy vacuum.  He crawled right along side me curious about this contraption.  When I turned it on and started sucking the mounds of cheerios, he let out a scream and bawled hysterically.  He crawled so fast you would have thought he saw a monster.  Every time I got close to him, he crawled as fast as he could to get away.  The sight of his irrational terror made me laugh.

It also made me think about the sacrament of confession.  Here I was, using this instrument to clean the carpet and Garrett couldn't scoot fast enough to get away from it.  How often do we avoid the sacramental instrument we have at our disposal to clean our souls?  The great gift of confession gives us a clean heart and the ability to receive grace from God.  But we run from it like scared, irrational children.

The noise from a vacuum is a little scary and loud for a small child. But in the end, there is a clean carpet that emerges from this harmless appliance.  Reflecting on our sins causes noise in the soul and disturbs our peace.  We are forced to face ourselves and our shortcomings.  This can be like encountering a monster at times.  But in the end, there is absolution and a weight that is lifted from our souls.  A clean heart to start new.  Asking and receiving forgiveness always brings peace and grace.

This desire for peace and grace is something all people crave, even if they do not have the sacrament of confession to employ.  I am grateful to have this sacrament as a Catholic.  I had a conversation with a friend (non-catholic) who was doing some painting for me that made me understand the importance of forgiveness, no matter what faith you belong.  Since we were friends, we were chatting about our families and she was telling me about her mother.  There was a strained relationship, mostly on her mothers end.  She revealed to me that when she was a teenager, she became pregnant as a sixteen year old.  Her parents, though christians, encouraged and facilitated an abortion for her.  They felt that was what she needed to do.  My friend sadly complied under the guidance of her parents.  Though years had passed and not a word was ever spoken, my friend said she felt her mother was still dealing with the guilt of the decision.  My friend had asked God for forgiveness and had received counseling from the Rachael Project.  She had peace and forgiveness for herself and her parents.  The fruit of her forgiveness was peace.  Only her mother was still holding guilt which affected their relationship.  I had asked her if she might want to tell her mother that she forgave her for the decision she made so many years ago.  It did not occur to her, but I knew how important it is to hear the words out loud.  During confession, the most freeing part is hearing the words of absolution which proceeds the penance given to make reparation.  It is part of the spiritual healing we crave that leads to peace.  I believe in God's infinite mercy no matter what faith you belong, but I am especially grateful for the grace of the sacrament as a Catholic.  There is no deeper feeling of peace than hearing the words spoken out loud from the vessel of Christ,  "You are forgiven, In the name of the father, son and holy spirit."  Since God created us and knows what we need, Christ graciously instituted this sacrament for our spiritual well being.

So the next time you get out the vacuum, I hope it reminds you of the sacrament of confession.  Keep it handy and be reminded to use this sacramental gift.  It is irrational to stay away from it.  It may make you laugh now when you think of how absurd it is to run away from it.  If your house is full of crumbs-do not worry.  It is better to have a clean heart than a clean floor.  Just keep the "vacuum" nearby, it is an important tool to have in your spiritual tool box.

Love,
MOM