confession - the sacrament of mercy & healing
The Sacrament of Confession, or Reconciliation, or Penance is one of the most important sacraments for us as fallen humans. It is also one of the most neglected. I know this from personal experience. I failed to go to confession for at least 15 years of life from before high school until I was 27 years old. Wow, I did not know what I was missing and I’m not sure how I lived without it (no exaggeration).
Jesus instituted the sacrament of confession (as He did all the sacraments) to continue His mission following His death, resurrection, and ascension. “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (Jn 20:19–23).
Jesus appears to His disciples in the upper room, after His Resurrection, and breathes the Holy Spirit on them giving them a share in His power to forgive sins. He wants to set us free from slavery to sin. It is a sacrament that shows the depths of God’s love for us.
Implied in the words of Jesus is that sins must be confessed to the one who has been given the power to forgive or retain - bishops and priests through ordination. All sacraments have matter and form (something physical - gesture, water, oil, laying on of hands, etc.; and the speaking of certain words). These correspond to the reality of our human nature - body and soul. We need to hear the words of absolution so that we can have certainty that we have been forgiven. It's important spiritually and psychologically.
Not only does this sacrament offer us God’s merciful love, but it is also the beginning of healing from the damage that sin causes us. There is real power in the sacraments if we open our hearts to the love and healing of God. The sacrament of confession is one of two healing sacraments that is available to us throughout our pilgrimage in this life. Once it becomes a regular part of your spiritual journey, you will not be able to live without it. I promise!
Please do not believe the lie that your sins are too big or bad for God to forgive. That is a lie of the evil one. God never tires of forgiving us; it is we who tire of asking. Never tire of asking! The only sin God cannot forgive is the one we do not confess to Him.
Receiving God's forgiveness in this sacrament also helps us to be more forgiving in our relationships as well. Unforgiveness is like poison in the heart. When we recognize our need for God's forgiveness, we become more merciful and forgiving towards others. Make confession a monthly habit, you will not regret it!
A priest's strategy for confession!
A view from the Priest's side of the confessional.
Jesus instituted the sacrament of confession (as He did all the sacraments) to continue His mission following His death, resurrection, and ascension. “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (Jn 20:19–23).
Jesus appears to His disciples in the upper room, after His Resurrection, and breathes the Holy Spirit on them giving them a share in His power to forgive sins. He wants to set us free from slavery to sin. It is a sacrament that shows the depths of God’s love for us.
Implied in the words of Jesus is that sins must be confessed to the one who has been given the power to forgive or retain - bishops and priests through ordination. All sacraments have matter and form (something physical - gesture, water, oil, laying on of hands, etc.; and the speaking of certain words). These correspond to the reality of our human nature - body and soul. We need to hear the words of absolution so that we can have certainty that we have been forgiven. It's important spiritually and psychologically.
Not only does this sacrament offer us God’s merciful love, but it is also the beginning of healing from the damage that sin causes us. There is real power in the sacraments if we open our hearts to the love and healing of God. The sacrament of confession is one of two healing sacraments that is available to us throughout our pilgrimage in this life. Once it becomes a regular part of your spiritual journey, you will not be able to live without it. I promise!
Please do not believe the lie that your sins are too big or bad for God to forgive. That is a lie of the evil one. God never tires of forgiving us; it is we who tire of asking. Never tire of asking! The only sin God cannot forgive is the one we do not confess to Him.
Receiving God's forgiveness in this sacrament also helps us to be more forgiving in our relationships as well. Unforgiveness is like poison in the heart. When we recognize our need for God's forgiveness, we become more merciful and forgiving towards others. Make confession a monthly habit, you will not regret it!
A priest's strategy for confession!
A view from the Priest's side of the confessional.
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