Last weekend, with the parable of the proud Pharisee and the repentant tax collector, I took the opportunity to extend an invitation to the Sacrament of Penance, especially if it has been a long time since you’ve gone (note: sometimes we say reconciliation, or penance, or confession – all three names refer to the same sacrament, highlighting a different facet of its nature). The truth of the matter is, we are all sinners in need of God’s mercy, and Holy Scripture confirms this: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). Of course, sin is not everything, but it is also not nothing, and it has power, if left untreated, to weaken our relationship with God, and even to sever that relationship if grave enough. We profess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, but knowing the frailty of our weakened human nature that remains even after baptism, Our Jesus – out of the abundance of love flowing from His pierced and broken heart – gave us the Sacrament of Confession to restore us to health and life for those offenses we commit after we have received baptism. It is a great mercy, and Catholics should not go long without partaking of this Sacrament to continue the work of God’s grace and healing in our lives, leading us to holiness.
In fact, the Church teaches that all Catholics who have committed grave sin after Baptism are to confess such sins at least once a year (Code of Canon Law, n.989). For Catholics, these laws are morally binding. Of course, it is best to confess such sins as soon as possible so that we can be restored to God’s grace, which is lost if we fall into mortal sin. But that should not cause us to despair because confession is His remedy! The reason for only requiring such a confession once a year is because Catholics are only required to receive the Eucharist once a year – at Easter-time – and to receive the Eucharist one must be in the state of grace (note: attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion are two different things – attending Mass is obligatory, frequent reception of Holy Communion is encouraged, if in a state of grace). Canon Law also teaches that, in order to receive absolution, we must approach this sacrament with true sorrow, rejecting our sins, and with a firm purpose to amend our lives (cf. CCL, 987), even though such amendment may take time and be achieved only with great difficulty. In order to make a good (i.e., valid) confession, Canon Law goes on to teach that every Catholic is obliged to confess in kind (what happened) and number (how many times) all grave sins committed after Baptism and not yet acknowledged and forgiven directly in individual confession. This applies to those sins of which the person has knowledge after diligent examination of conscience (cf. CCL 988). It is also recommended to Catholics that they confess venial sins, because even though venial sins don’t kill the life of the soul, they do weaken its life, and so confession is a wonderful source of strength for overcoming even our daily faults. Confession is one of the primary means given to us by Christ and His Church for growing in holiness, because there the Lamb of God constantly takes away the sins of the world, by taking away the sins of my world, the ones for which I am personally responsible, and in their place, he administers mercy, grace, love, healing, and strength, all of which contribute to holiness. It is such a marvelous gift.
If this note has brought a new light to your eyes, but has also caused a bit of anxiety, please don’t be anxious. It only takes one good confession to get us going on the right path if we’ve wandered astray. We need never be afraid to come to Jesus in this sacrament – He sees us in our weakness, He knows our sorrow, and He wants to set us free. If you need help preparing for confession, if it’s been a while or if you just don’t know where to start examining your life, we have some handy purple booklets around the parishes that give catechesis about confession and contain helpful examinations of conscience. You can also ask the priest to help you if you get confused or nervous – we love reconciling people with God! We’re all sinners becoming saints, and “a saint is a sinner who keeps trying” (St. Josemaria Escriva). Frequent, fervent confession, even monthly, is a good thing (St. John Paul II went every week!), and it is an incredible aid on our path to sainthood. So go to confession, make it good, place your faith in the love and mercy of Jesus, and keep trying to be a saint. May God bless you in the week ahead, and may Mother Mary lead you more deeply into the Sacred and Merciful Heart of Jesus. I remain,
Affectionately Yours in Christ,
Fr. Hess
