I
have often wondered why this amazing treasure of the Sacrament of Confession is not practiced more often. Christ, our absolute best friend, is anxiously waiting to forgive and forget all of our transgressions, big and small and pour grace into our hearts to help us in our daily battle against sin and temptation. If the devil were ever to convince us not to go somewhere, it would be here. What does the devil tell us? Below are some possibilities:
- “Why bring back all of those past sins, they happened so long ago and they are so humiliating, why suffer through them again?” Jesus would say, “Precisely because they are still very much in your heart and mind and I want to help you bury them forever. Trust in my infinite mercy and love!”
- ” You really aren’t that bad of a person. Look around you! What do you have to confess?” Jesus would say: “I want you to be more like me, and the small and large infractions do bring pain to my heart. Confession heals this separation and puts you back on the path to an ever greater union with me.”
- “Why should you confess your sins to a priest? Just go straight to God, he understands!” Jesus would say, “I gave this power to my disciples and all priests in the upper room when I said ‘Receive the Holy Spirit, those whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, those whose sins you hold bound are held bound.’ (cfr. JN 20: 23) I forgive your sins through the priest.”
- “Why open yourself up to the priest…it will make you feel vulnerable.” Jesus says, “Don’t worry, the priest is held under the seal of Confession and he cannot make use of this information in any way and there are no exceptions. He is there to be an instrument of my mercy and my love. “
- “You haven’t been to Confession in over 40 years,…you will look foolish not knowing what to do.” Jesus says, “Be humble and be simple. Just tell this to the priest and he will help you along, even with the act of contrition.”
