I am Sorry! beyond mere expression

I was attending mass at St Francis of Assisi Church in Barbados this morning to witness a couple clutched each others arms during the penitential service. It was a wonderful real imagery of a reconciliation between husband and wife. This couple, I think, was trying to tell each other "I am so sorry for hurting you directly or indirectly or in small or big way". Reconciliation is just that, reassuring each other that we care and love each other. In the case of this couple it was obvious that they wanted to assure and encourage their relationship whatever be their mistakes or misunderstanding till that moment. 

Now, how many of us try and do it during the penitential service of the mass? Is penitential service just another routine and boring part of the celebration? Most often we take for granted the wonderful and lovely gift of forgiveness that God has bestowed upon humanity. We have the ability to either forgive or vengeance. We have the ability to tell each other that we are sorry. But how many of us do it? Handful of us. Sometimes, we do it for the sake of doing it.

One example to illustrate aforementioned point that forgiveness is just on our mouth and not in our hearts: London is a city of politeness and sensitivity. The hight of politeness is so great that even touching a person accidentally can get a "sorry" and a smile. This is a wonderful thing to do, but I have realised over the years that this is just a routine and a cliche like expressions that we hear every time on trains, bus stands, etc. Do they really mean it when they say sorry? I have my doubts on this. Their sorry does not mean anything, its just being polite and showcase their sensitivity. I am not saying this is rubbish, but I am trying to say, a sorry should come from one's heart and not intellect. 

Same way our penitential service at the eucharist can produce no results or it will just remain a way of passing on to another bit of the mass, unless and until we really mean when we say, 'Lord, have mercy.' Thus we have the penitential service at the beginning of the Eucharist, so we are sorry and forgiven by God and each other after which we are ready to share the Eucharistic meals with each other. I have a suggestion which might sound hilarious; can we hold each others hands during the penitential rite and really feel that God is present in each other.