Some time ago, I was asked by one of my priest’s friends to help hear confessions of the students that were about to receive the sacrament of Confirmation at his parish. Most of the students would confess that they didn’t listen to or had disobeyed their parents. However, one of those young persons said that he had disobeyed his parents. This made him feel bad and guilty because he hurt their feelings. They love me and want the best for me -- he said -- and I know that at times I didn’t understand that either. My parents always wanted what was best for me. Some of those students that didn’t listen have been punished by their parents and that was for them the only reason not to do that again. But it is much more mature to understand that if you don’t listen to your parents, you simply hurt them; they love you and want to protect you. It is similar on our relationship with God. It is not that he would punish us for our sins. No -- but when we do sin we hurt Him and He always wants what’s best for us even if at times we don’t understand that. “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me.”
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