THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (or PENANCE)
John 20:23: “If you forgive the sins of
any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
The Catholic Religion has seven
(7) Sacraments; these are the Sacrament of BAPTISM, EUCHARIST, RECONCILLATION (more popularly
called confession), CONFIRMATION, MARRIAGE, HOLY ORDERS, and the ANOINTING OF
THE SICK. As a married person, it is only the Sacrament of Holy Orders that I can’t have.
Who says I like to go to
confessions? I don't - but, that was when I was young and still soul searching. I shy away from confessions because I can’t take telling my sins to a person whom I also consider a sinner. Isn't it more convenient to just tell my sins to God? God sees what's in my heart and I just want it to be between me and my God. Isn't it a shame to let somebody (priest) know my mistakes -grave and small, especially that I'm known in the community? Besides, going through this sacrament feels very embarrassing and demeaning, more so, if it is done face to face. Doing it inside the confessional with face partly hidden from the
priest by a lattice is already a source of discomfort.
In our parish, I often see a long
queue during confessions. I think, they must
have mustered the courage to comply with this Catholic teaching. It takes
humility to do so. It is God’s grace
given to all who wish their sins be forgiven. Pride and shame serve as major stumbling
blocks to go through this Sacrament. We
are quick to tell of our success, joys and happiness, but are very slow to tell of our downfall and weaknesses. We tend to keep in secret
our shameful acts, our dark past… believe me, there is no such thing as secret.
We don’t have to brandish around the mistakes we have committed…but there is always the confessional where we could and receive the grace of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
As a practicing Catholic, to the Sacrament of Reconciliation...I now say, YES. However, I go to confession but still much to my chagrin.
As a practicing Catholic, to the Sacrament of Reconciliation...I now say, YES. However, I go to confession but still much to my chagrin.
I chanced by this site to my
delight and I would like to share this with you. The sermons of the Cure of Ars
are a very nice reading materials for the soul….a source of inspiration and
reflection.
