I was out of town from November 1st through the 4th. Because of this, I made us all go to Mass for All Saints Day on the evening beforehand. So, we did 20 minutes of Trick-or-Treating, off to Mass, then another 20 minutes of trick-or-treating.
While I was driving with the three kids by myself (we were meeting Eric), the kids kept asking about why we were going to Mass on a Wednesday. I tried to explain to them a bit about Holy Days of Obligation, and the like. This, of course, is all pretty new to them still.
As we drove, they continued to question why we were going to Mass. I finally told them that it was the right thing to do, and, in trying to bring in the topic of reconciliation, I said, “I don’t want to have to go in to reconciliation and have to apologize for not going to Mass when I was supposed to.”
And then there was silence.
Until, just moments later, Noah said, “But Mom…God would forgive you.”
“Yes, you’re right, Noah. That’s the great thing about reconciliation, and I’m so excited that you will be going to it soon. But…it really is better to do the right thing first and not have to say you’re sorry later.”
Jack then chirped in, “It is nice to say you’re sorry though, Mom.”
“Yes, Jack, you’re right too. But, it’s even better to do the right thing first and not have to say you’re sorry later.”
“But,” Jack continued, “it really is nice to say you’re sorry.”
I would like to say that I had some wonder way to tie up the whole conversation, but I vaguely remember announcing that:
1. Yes, God would forgive me if I was really sorry and I told Him that I was sorry.
2. Yes, indeed…it IS nice to say you’re sorry.
3. We’re going to Mass because I’m your Mom and I said that’s what we’re doing.
Sigh.
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