NEED FOR FREQUENT REPARATION

Divine Appeal Reflection  - 114

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 114: "In the Sacrament of My Love I am so much consoled when  you make acts of reparation." 

Reparation, in the Catholic sense, is a holy act of paying for the sins committed by a person or society at large. This holy act encapsulates the essence of confession and obedience before God as a way of acknowledging one’s failures and taking a stand for redemption. However, in the concrete jungle of challenges and distractions of the modern world, we can lose sight of how crucial this spiritual practice truly is. In the context of the modern world, dominated by the culture of consumerism, the meaning of reparation—ending suffering and longing for forgiveness—clearly does not resonate with the modern individual. We live in a world of ego and self-fulfillment and, sadly, in many cases, far from the love shown by Our Lord Jesus Christ during His time on earth.

One might wonder why reparation has become less emphasized in our daily lives. One reason is the erosion of a shared understanding of sin and moral obligation in secular culture. In a world increasingly defined by relativism, the notion of sin is often dismissed or redefined to suit personal agendas. This cultural shift has led to a diminished awareness of the need for reparation—not only for personal failings but also for the collective moral failings that wound the Mystical Body of Christ and humanity at large.

Moreover, modern society often presents a false dichotomy between self-care and self-sacrifice. While the pursuit of mental and emotional well-being is important, the Gospel calls us to go beyond our own needs and embrace the self-giving love exemplified by Our Adorable Jesus’ call to make acts of reparation. It is a call to transcend our limitations and engage in acts of love that console His Eucharistic presence and contribute to the healing of the world. Reparation invites us to a deeper communion with the Cross, reminding us that authentic love often entails sacrifice.

In acknowledgment of this challenge, we must cultivate a renewed sense of reparation in our Christian lives. This begins with personal reflection and repentance. When we recognize our sins and the ways we contribute to societal injustices, we open our hearts to God’s grace, finding in Him the strength to atone and make amends. Family life and the broader Christian community play a vital role in fostering a culture of reparation. By promoting communal prayer, penance services, and discussions on moral responsibility, the Church acts as a beacon of hope, guiding us in our call to love and restore.

May our Adorable Jesus, Who so ardently desires acts of reparation, fill our hearts with a burning love for this holy practice. Following the example of Sr. Anna Ali, who devoted her life to the love of Our Adorable Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, let us renew our commitment to console Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament through daily acts of reparation. Let us embrace the spirit of penance and humility, offering our prayers, sacrifices, and sufferings in union with Christ’s own Sacrifice, so that His Eucharistic presence may be consoled and our world healed by His infinite mercy and love.