EJ's First Confession

Last weekend, EJ received a second sacrament through the Catholic Church-the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Yes, there is MUCH debate about this Sacrament. Is it necessary? Why do we need to confess our sins to a priest? Etc. Etc. I get it. I, too, struggle with this at times. However, my son summed it up after visiting with the priest... After leaving the confessional, here is what EJ had to say, "My heart feels different" and "All of a sudden I like these Catholic things." You have to understand that coming into this year, EJ wanted nothing to do with Church. Of course, this frightened me, but as his parent I knew he had to continue. We bargained. Yes, I agree I shouldn't have to bargain with a then 7-year old. Well, you would too if you didn't want his heart to be hardened and turned off by going to Church. The bargain was this: I expected him to at least receive his First Holy Communion, which is on May 2nd. After that, we would talk about his options. I don't MAKE EJ go to Church weekly. Once a month and holiday's in between is all. That wouldn't change if he decided he didn't want to continue with Religious Education. On top of all that, the child seldom complains about going to those classes! SO, when my first-born son spoke those two lines after last Saturday, my heart jumped for joy! I pray that EJ continues on his spirtual journey with the same happy heart he felt last weekend. To me, the Holy Spirit exploded in him that day and all because he confessed his sins to a priest!