I'd like to relate Christ's road to the cross to our road to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Many of us struggle to get to the sacrament, but we should pray,

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done."

On his journey, Jesus was helped to carry his cross by Simon, a Cyrenian. Our Simon will be the Holy Spirit. And while the road may be difficult, as it was for Christ, blinded by blood and sweat and tears, we will find our Veronica, in the form of Mary, wiping away the tears of sorrow in our eyes, as we feel remorse.

As we struggle on to to the confessional, we fall, and we wall, and we fall again, as we hear Christ's words of consolation,

"Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."

As we enter the confessional, like the penitent thief, we should proclaim,

"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

And joyfully we should hear Christ's words saying,

"Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

for confession will prepare us for just that.

And after courageously, with sorrow, with the resolve to sin no more, turning over all to God, we say,

"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."

Now joyfully, through the love of God for us, earned for us by Jesus' life and death, we hear the words:

"...through the ministry of the Church, may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

We now feel this great uplifting as if we are joining Christ's Resurrection.
Amen.