In the first reading at Mass yesterday, we heard these consoling words:

"Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool" (Isaiah 1:18).

This reading brought to mind the concepts of "matter" and "form" as they apply to the sacraments. The matter is the external sign, such as bread and wine for the Eucharist, or water for Baptism. The form would be the words that call forth the internal grace, such as the words of consecration ("This is my body . . .") for the Eucharist, or the baptismal formula ("I baptize you in the name . . .") for Baptism.

But what about the Sacrament of Penance, or Reconciliation? Well, the form is rather obvious: It's the words of absolution said by the priest, culminating with "I absolve you of your sins . . ."

But the "matter" is what we bring to it, which is our sins, for which we bring our sorrow ("contrition"), our open admission to the priest ("confession"), and willingness to atone ("satisfaction").

Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow.

So here we see an application of St. Paul's challenging words in Romans 8:28, that when we turn to God in love He can and does make everything in our lives work to our good--even our sins!

Now does this mean we should go out and sin freely, becoming snow-making machines? Absolutely not, and in fact St. Paul addresses that misunderstanding at the beginning of Romans 6. After emphasizing that God's grace is infinitely greater than our sin, he says: "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:1-2).

It's like a basketball game. Tonight is the big Sunflower Shootout between Kansas (no. 2 in the country) and Kansas State (no. 5). Let's say that KU falls behind by 20 points in the first half. Is that a good thing if you're a Jayhawk fan? Of course not. Yet, if KU then comes back in the second half to win, then their big first half deficit would be part of a larger story of triumph.

In the end, what I like about the above passage from Isaiah is that it reminds me--and all the Church--of the transforming effects of divine grace in our lives, which I find to be an endless source of peace and confidence. And a motive to get to Confession this week!