The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "The Fathers of the Church present this sacrament as 'the second plank [of salvation] after the shipwreck which is the loss of grace.'"

How merciful is our God! He provides us with many second opportunities to be saved, once we choose sin over sharing in his life. This is not that we can presume on his mercy and use the Sacrament as a person, planning to get drunk, enlisted a designated driver to bring him back home.  Like the other Sacraments, forgiveness is a privilege not a right. What is our attitude when we receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Are we truly repentant, even though we may sin again? Are we grateful to God for his mercy? Do we truly believe that we are forgiven? What are we doing to turn away from sin? When we shipwreck, God throws us a life ring. Some people wait too long in the ocean of sin before reaching for the life ring. Don't hesitate and fail to grab hold and let God pull you back to himself? You don't know when the undercurrent will pull you into the depths of the ocean of sin and you will be lost.