Another Sunday Thought About Confession to Start the Week Off Right
Let's pick up our discussion of Confession from last Sunday. It was motivated by the fact that many of us still can't access this venerable Sacrament. And for those of us who care about our relationship with God, not being able to seek forgiveness of our sins can be a daunting reality. Except it's not reality.
As mentioned last week, Confession simply isn't necessary for forgiveness of sins. While our focus will be on venial sins, the same applies to mortal sin, albeit with some strings attached, one of which is getting to Confession as soon as possible. But, of course, if Confession isn't available, we're back to square one.
Now, not being a theologian, I'm sticking with the wise words of Father Alfred Wilson. He wrote about all this in Pardon and Peace. You may want to consider reading the whole work if your knowledge of the nature and value of Confession needs some sprucing up. I did and benefited greatly from many passages in this wonderful work.
Father didn't write his book because Confession wasn't available. It was easily available back in 1946 - more so than in our own time even before the COVID lock-downs. This passage captures one of Father's key messages:
"Confession expresses a human need, not a Divine need, and is necessary to satisfy man, not to satisfy God. When our Savior instituted Confession, He was thinking of us, not of Himself. Whenever there is sincere contrition, He pardons in a flash, and would pardon without more ado, if such an arrangement were good for us. He saw, however, that it would not be good for us to be let off without an apology for serious sin. Parents often insist on an apology from an erring child even when they have long since forgiven it in their hearts. They insist, not for their own sake, but for the sake of the child, whose ultimate good they unselfishly consider. In the same way, God insists on an apology from us, for our sake not for His."
Now, if you read that carefully you see that it's not denigrating or even downgrading the importance of Confession. The point is a simple one: Confession is not necessary to seek and obtain forgiveness of sin. During this time when many of us can't get to Confession, the message can, somewhat if not altogether, reduce any anxiety we may have due to our sins. We can seek forgiveness and we will be forgiven.
Any qualifiers? Of course. We have to be sincere, really contrite. And we have to have what's known as a "firm purpose of amendment." Put simply, we need to resolve not to sin again. Not that such resolve will assure that we never ever sin again. Being fallen creatures, it's unlikely that a firm purpose of amendment in and of itself will keep us pure and holy, no slips and falls. The "firm" means we should be sincerely determined to avoid the sin whatever the degree of self-denial or effort required.
Okay, so it's a high standard. But we're talking about having offended God here. What sort of standard did you expect to be held to?
Even as Father drives home the point that Confession isn't necessary for the forgiveness of sin, he also explains the richness of the Sacrament. It's not just a matter of saying you're sorry until the next time you need to seek forgiveness.
"Confession is also necessary to intensify our realization of the malice of sin. If we 'got away with' sin too easily, we might make light of it. God insists on a formal, penal apology for serious sin to prevent us from confusing His mercy with unconcern. If He made no fuss about serious sin, we might easily conclude - to our own undoing - that it is not really so heinous and so odious to Him. he has, therefore, obliged us to confess our sins because He is wise and kind."
So when Confession becomes available again, I'll be heading back to the box. For now, though, it's comforting to know that I won't be walking around with a heavy load of sin weighing my soul down, clouding my relationship with God.
Given how helpful Father's words have been - at least for me - let's keep at this next Sunday. Who knows, maybe Confession will be made available by then. Or maybe not.
As mentioned last week, Confession simply isn't necessary for forgiveness of sins. While our focus will be on venial sins, the same applies to mortal sin, albeit with some strings attached, one of which is getting to Confession as soon as possible. But, of course, if Confession isn't available, we're back to square one.
Now, not being a theologian, I'm sticking with the wise words of Father Alfred Wilson. He wrote about all this in Pardon and Peace. You may want to consider reading the whole work if your knowledge of the nature and value of Confession needs some sprucing up. I did and benefited greatly from many passages in this wonderful work.
Father didn't write his book because Confession wasn't available. It was easily available back in 1946 - more so than in our own time even before the COVID lock-downs. This passage captures one of Father's key messages:
"Confession expresses a human need, not a Divine need, and is necessary to satisfy man, not to satisfy God. When our Savior instituted Confession, He was thinking of us, not of Himself. Whenever there is sincere contrition, He pardons in a flash, and would pardon without more ado, if such an arrangement were good for us. He saw, however, that it would not be good for us to be let off without an apology for serious sin. Parents often insist on an apology from an erring child even when they have long since forgiven it in their hearts. They insist, not for their own sake, but for the sake of the child, whose ultimate good they unselfishly consider. In the same way, God insists on an apology from us, for our sake not for His."
Now, if you read that carefully you see that it's not denigrating or even downgrading the importance of Confession. The point is a simple one: Confession is not necessary to seek and obtain forgiveness of sin. During this time when many of us can't get to Confession, the message can, somewhat if not altogether, reduce any anxiety we may have due to our sins. We can seek forgiveness and we will be forgiven.
Any qualifiers? Of course. We have to be sincere, really contrite. And we have to have what's known as a "firm purpose of amendment." Put simply, we need to resolve not to sin again. Not that such resolve will assure that we never ever sin again. Being fallen creatures, it's unlikely that a firm purpose of amendment in and of itself will keep us pure and holy, no slips and falls. The "firm" means we should be sincerely determined to avoid the sin whatever the degree of self-denial or effort required.
Okay, so it's a high standard. But we're talking about having offended God here. What sort of standard did you expect to be held to?
Even as Father drives home the point that Confession isn't necessary for the forgiveness of sin, he also explains the richness of the Sacrament. It's not just a matter of saying you're sorry until the next time you need to seek forgiveness.
"Confession is also necessary to intensify our realization of the malice of sin. If we 'got away with' sin too easily, we might make light of it. God insists on a formal, penal apology for serious sin to prevent us from confusing His mercy with unconcern. If He made no fuss about serious sin, we might easily conclude - to our own undoing - that it is not really so heinous and so odious to Him. he has, therefore, obliged us to confess our sins because He is wise and kind."
So when Confession becomes available again, I'll be heading back to the box. For now, though, it's comforting to know that I won't be walking around with a heavy load of sin weighing my soul down, clouding my relationship with God.
Given how helpful Father's words have been - at least for me - let's keep at this next Sunday. Who knows, maybe Confession will be made available by then. Or maybe not.
Happy Sunday!
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