• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe

Ready or not, here comes God’s grace

December 9, 2017
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Divine Worship, Feature, Open Window

It started snowing as we were getting ready to head to church for our son’s First Reconciliation. I hoped the snow wouldn’t interfere, and it seemed just to add to the excitement, the specialness, of the day.Over the past few months, I have worried about whether our little boy was ready for this sacrament. Maybe it’s because he’s our younger son. I just wasn’t sure. But I have watched him and listened to him through our lessons together. He has learned so much. He understands.

It’s worrying as a parent not to know whether your child is ready for something—whether it’s going to kindergarten, becoming a big sibling, walking to the mailbox, or spending the night at a friend’s house.

But often I think you’re never fully ready—and you certainly don’t know whether you’re ready—until you’re actually immersed in the experience. All you can do as a parent is prepare a child well and then let him take the leap. In the case of First Reconciliation, we just need to do the very best we can to prepare our children and trust that God will take care of the rest.

At church, our second grader hurried to get in line. Soon it was his turn. He went into the reconciliation room, and I stood at a distance.

When he came out, he ran to me, radiating joy, a huge smile on his face.

Full of grace.

The rest of our family waited for our turns, and one after another we received the sacrament, too. It was the first time we all received a sacrament on the same day. It made me realize that when Daniel makes his First Communion, that will happen for the four of us every Sunday.

Maybe it’s because we just celebrated the anniversary of the day we met Leo, and Daniel’s birthday is next week, but right now I’m very focused on how our family has been brought together. The idea of also being able to share our faith and grow closer to Jesus by receiving God’s mercy and grace—and soon Jesus in the Eucharist—fills me with awe.

I think of so many times I have worried about whether I was ready—for marriage, for motherhood, for greater responsibility, for journeys I never intended to take and wouldn’t have chosen for myself. But God has always given me what I needed and guided me.

I have to believe He will do the same for me this Advent, as long as I do my part to open the door and let Him in. And I know He will do the same for you.

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Rita Buettner

View all posts from this author

| Recent Commentary |

Jesus doesn’t leave us alone in the night

A homemade pie that is ready to bake sits on a kitchen counter next to a rolling pie

A Key Ingredient

Practice the ‘BeDADitudes’

Comfort my people: Unexpected surprises in life

A father’s gift 

| Recent Local News |

Radio Interview: Books and Authors: Inspiring Trailblazers

Future priest from Congo has a heart of service

Sister Joan Minella, former principal and pastoral life director, dies

Archbishop Lori offers encouragement to charitable agencies affected by federal cuts

Incoming superior general of Oblate Sisters of Providence outlines priorities

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • U.S. bishop calls for ardent prayer, diplomacy as Israel-Iran strikes continue
  • Suspect arrested for murdered Minnesota lawmaker, husband
  • Iconic Sacre-Coeur Basilica in Paris celebrates its 150th birthday
  • Pope urges Madagascar’s bishops to protect creation as prophetic mission
  • At audience with martyr’s mother, pope prays for peace in Congo
  • Sharing joy of discovery contributes to peace, pope tells astronomers
  • Pope addresses instances of violence against Christians, prays for peace
  • Radio Interview: Books and Authors: Inspiring Trailblazers
  • USCCB, Catholic Charities among 200 NGOs in House probe on migrant aid

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED