More About Confession to Start the Week Off Right

We might as well continue the discussion about Confession we started a few weeks ago. Many of us still have no access to the Sacrament. Given the fact that most of us are sinners, that's a concern. So we've been focusing on ways to seek forgiveness when we can't get to Confession - for whatever the reason.

Knowing how we can obtain forgiveness of our sins without the confessional will not only help us in our current circumstances, but should be a real boon even when Confession becomes more regularly accessible (we hope). Pardon and Peace by Fr. Alfred Wilson, has provided expert guidance here. Last week, with a brief history of the Sacrament of Confession as background, we saw how and why the Sacrament of Confession is not necessary for forgiveness of sins. To be sure, this in no way lessens the importance of the Sacrament. Indeed, in the case of mortal sin, while we may seek and obtain forgiveness before we actually get to Confession, it's expected that we will make every effort to get to Confession as soon as possible and confess mortal sins as to kind and number. If we don't make the effort, our sin has been forgiven, but our state of grace will have been compromised. And we should not receive Communion in such a state.

It's also important to note that none of this lessens the seriousness of venial sin. While venial sin cannot deaden the soul be removing sanctifying grace as mortal sin does, we shouldn't make light of it. And that's exactly why seeking forgiveness immediately upon becoming aware of committing a venial sin should become an ingrained habit. Father Wilson explains that such a practice can actually make our venial sins "occasions of gain": 

"If venial sins are repaired quickly, they may ultimately become occasions of gain. Consider attentively what Our Lord said to St. Gertrude: 'When anyone perceives a dirty spot on his hand, he washes it away at once; after washing, however, not only has the spot disappeared, but the whole hand is clear. Thus it happens that if a person commits a slight offence, but makes an act of contrition, he thus, by humility, becomes more pleasing to Me. Greater humility, more interior attachment to God: this is the only conclusion you should draw from your failings."

See how venial sin can result in a gain for us? If we take it seriously, and sincerely seek immediate forgiveness, along with that firm purpose of amendment (the desire to never sin again), not only is the sin "erased" but our soul can draw closer to God. 

(You may find, as I did, some irony in the image of washing of hands in the midst of our C-Virus world.)

What emerges here is an opportunity to develop a habit that will not only keep our souls clean, but will clear the way for a deeper relationship with God. To sincerely seek forgiveness requires humility - the recognition of our fallen human nature and inherent weakness. We can only grow closer to God in that spirit of humility. We are nothing; He is everything. Constantly recognizing our sins, and consistently seeking forgiveness will help us develop the virtue of humility, so essential to our spiritual growth.

We can do all this, even if the Sacrament of Confession remains unavailable to us. To reiterate:

"Let us repair venial sins at once, and aim at keeping our souls spotless, so that there may be nothing in us to impete the operation of grace or make Our Lord look upon us with less pleasure. The habit of deleting venial sins, as soon as we become conscious of them, will conduce to peace of mind and sensitiveness to sin."

So even as we live without the Sacrament, we see what progress can be made despite this misfortune. We might even look at our current circumstance - being bereft of Confession - as a special opportunity given us by a loving and merciful Father. In my own case, the understanding I've gained from Father Wilson's words have inculcated an ongoing habit of seeking forgiveness not only at night with an examination of conscience but throughout the day. I don't say this because I'm especially holy. I say it simply to encourage others to take Father's words to heart and begin to practice what he teaches here. 

What a lesson learned this will be for us even as Confession does finally become available. We will no longer restrict our desire for forgiveness to that once-a-month trip to the confessional (or whatever frequency has been your habit). We will seek forgiveness all the time as a normal part of our everyday life - with the help of God's grace of course. 

Those of us who understand that we are sinners should rejoice at God's generosity here. But, of course, we shouldn't be surprised. What else should we expect from a loving and merciful Father? What else should we expect from Our dear Savior Who suffered, died, was buried and rose from the dead that we might someday enjoy eternal life in Heaven with Him? What else should we expect from their Holy Spirit, Who condescends to dwell within us, along with the Father and the Son?

With the practice of seeking forgiveness immediately upon becoming aware of sin, we allow God within us to provide a free and generous flow of actual grace. And with this grace we can more confidently express that firm purpose of amendment not to ever sin again. We can do this because we know we will rely on His grace and not our own weak, fumbling efforts. 

Who knows? - perhaps He will grant us the grace to remain without sin. But if not, we know exactly what we can and must do: immediately and sincerely seek forgiveness.

Happy Sunday!