Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
(Hebrews 12:18-19.21-24; Mark 6:17-13)
The woman came to the Sacrament of Reconciliation trembling. She wanted to confess a sin which was very embarrassing. She had never the courage to tell it to anyone before, even in confession. After acknowledging the deed, she left the confessional with a free heart.
The author of the Letter to the Hebrews in our reading today exhorts his readers to come to the Lord. He says that just as the woman trembling in confession, they will find not harshness but mercy. God is supremely good, but His goodness should not cause us to feel humiliated as if it meant to put us down. Rather it is best described as “mercy within mercy” which, like our kindergarten teacher, only means to help us overcome our weaknesses.
