Failure is an Option

Often in movies or tv shows the idea of “failure is NOT an option”, is a storytelling tool to help create tension and raise the stakes of the story. While such a storytelling device can serve to make a story impactful, it can also give us the wrong idea when it comes to the nature of failure. Yes, some failures are so bad that they have a very real finality, but most failures in life can be viewed as opportunities to learn.  

We either win or we learn. This disposition can help us in Lent as we will inevitably slip up in one of our Lenten practices. Failed to make that extra time of prayer or failed to stick to a new diet in such situations we can either decide to give up altogether or decide to learn from our mistake. Maybe I should have gotten to bed earlier the night before and I would not have been as easily tempted to hit snooze on the alarm clock and chosen prayer instead. Or maybe I should throw out the sweets in the house or at least place them out of sight so that the temptation sweets pose is more easily resisted. But in each situation, we can learn something that helps to better equip us for future difficulties.  

The lessons we learn from mistakes are greater than the lessons we learn from successes. When we properly understand that God desires for us to be reconciled and even witness Jesus allowance of His apostles to make mistakes that God allows us to stumble and fall to help us learn and grow as human beings and as disciples. 

As we continue through Lent, I want to encourage you all to do prayer and penance for our Family of Parishes and for our archdiocese. There is much to do penance for and much good that we need to continue to pray for that such work will come to full maturity in Christ. Our prayers can have a wonderful effect on those around us.  

Again, I want to encourage all of you to get to confession early in this Lenten Season to ensure that everyone gets a chance to go and to help give enough time for priests to give adequate counsel when needed. Also, please note that this year for Divine Mercy Sunday we are going to be just having the holy hour of thanksgiving for Divine Mercy Sunday. This is because the primary purpose of the Divine Mercy Holy Hour is to give thanks for the Mercy that God poured out upon his people through the sacrament of reconciliation in the season of Lent and Holy Week. This helps those attending the holy hour to focus on praise and thanksgiving and not just trying to get to confession. It also allows the priests to participate in the great act of praise. I have also observed that St. Faustina herself did not go to confession on the Sunday of Divine Mercy but went instead beforehand. In order to receive the plenary indulgence for Divine Mercy Sunday there is also no prescription for going to confession only that the individual “be in a state of grace.” Thanks for your understanding in advance.  

Thank you to my brother priests who have each been called by Christ to be His priests. I am always humbled to see the many various gifts that each of my brother priests bring to the table. In the mystery of our Lord’s heart, He desired for each of us to be priests after His own heart in our own manner. For each of them, I am deeply grateful. 

Peace in Christ, 
Fr. Jarred Kohn