Lent, Conversion, Penance

Last Sunday marked the fifth day of Lent. So far we have received Lenten messages from: the Holy Father, the Archbishop of Kampala, a number of religious leaders and other people who consider it meaningful to wish us a fruitful Lenten season. It goes without saying that in order to benefit from this time of grace, one has to seriously embrace the spirit of the season. To achieve this, we are continually invited to work towards a conversion of heart, a purification of our souls and have a new beginning.

In the Roman Catholic Church, we have the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance) as a bridge that makes us cross from the world of sin to the world of the virtuous; from isolation to communion.

The Sacrament of  Reconciliation

The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls it: the sacrament of conversion, Penance, Confession, Forgiveness,  Reconciliation (CCC Nos. 1423-1424).

It was instituted by Jesus Christ in his love and mercy (John 20: 20 – 23). It is here that we meet the loving Jesus who offers sinners forgiveness for offenses committed (after Baptism) against God and neighbor. It also permits sinners to reconcile with the Church, which also is wounded by our sins.

When we go to receive this Sacrament, we meet Christ in his Church very much willing to absolve and restore us to new life.

We know that we receive the graces of Christ in all sacraments by means of visible signs; these signs are acts of worship, symbols of the grace given and recognizable gestures through which the Lord bestows his gifts.

With the Sacrament of Penance, the forgiveness of sins and the restoration of grace are the gifts received through an outward sign. In the first place, that sign is seen when the priest extends his hands (very often one hand is raised, and may not even be clearly seen if the Sacrament is given in the “confessional”). In the second place, the sign is heard when the priest pronounces the words of absolution.

Why go to a priest for confession?

We hear a number of people asking: “why can’t a person just confess to God and seek forgiveness in the privacy of one’s own heart?” Even those who do not put the question, they very often have it in their minds.  Some simply say: “For me, "I just tell my sins to God and he forgives me."

We have all the reasons to go to a priest. I would like to let a religious Educationist, Louis Kloster, give us the reasons. Let us see what he says:

“Firstly, we need to admit to and acknowledge our sins. For example, it is very important for an alcoholic to admit, in confidence and within the supportive presence of others at an AA meeting, that he or she is an alcoholic. That is the first step in dealing with the problem and changing unhealthy habits and behaviors. In the same way, when a person has to verbalize one’s sins to a priest, and admit that one has hurt God and others, the person is more inclined to change for the better and to strive for what is good.” He goes on to say:

“Secondly, our sins affect not just ourselves but other people in our community. When we cheat, slander, or steal from someone, the other person is hurt. However, that sin may have a ‘ripple effect’. Sometimes we are not even aware of all who have been affected by our sins. For example, when children disrespect their parents, their younger brothers and sisters may begin to imitate the bad behavior. When we confess our sins to the priest, the priest represents the whole community: all those people we have hurt by our sins, knowingly and unknowingly. By expressing our sorrow to him, we express our contrition and remorse to the whole community.”

The story of Adam and Eve may also shed some light on the matter. In the beginning, Adam and Eve enjoyed a good and right relationship with God, but they chose to disobey God, eating from the forbidden tree of knowledge. That was the first – the original – sin. Like any sin, it separated Adam and Eve from a loving relationship with God. However, God sent His Son Jesus, who taught us about love and eventually died on the cross for the sins of humankind – past, present, and future. Through Jesus Christ and his death on the cross, our sins are forgiven and we are reconciled with God. When we confess our sins, the priest is actually taking the place of Jesus. As with any sacrament, Jesus is working through the priest, and through him, Jesus is again helping us restore a loving and right relationship with God.

Scripture also provides part of the answer to the question. In the gospels, Jesus forgave sinners. Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, he instructed his apostles to forgive sins, saying: “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” He then breathed the Holy Spirit upon them, saying: “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained” (John 20: 20 – 23). This power and authority to forgive sins – in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – has been passed on to the leaders of our Church – our bishops and priests – for two millennia.

Through reconciliation, there is yet another benefit that we would not receive if confessing to God by ourselves: the gift of wise counsel and encouragement which the priest offers.” — L. Kloster, (louiklos@lw-west.ab.ca)

Tue 20, Feb 2018 12:02 pm