Sacrament of Reconciliation

It is important for us to reflect on the value of the Sacrament of Penance in our Catholic Tradition. The Sacrament of Confession is one of the greatest treasures of our Catholic faith.

Jesus was acutely aware of our sinfulness, and he liked to preach about forgiveness. Of all of the four gospel’s, Luke places the highest priority on forgiveness. Luke gives us the story of the pardon of the sinful woman (Lk 7:36-50); the five parables of forgiveness: the parables of the barren fig tree (Lk 13:6-9), the bent over woman (Lk 13:10-13), the lost sheep (Lk 15:4-7), the lost coin (Lk 15:8-10), and the lost son (Lk 15:11-32); as well as the great forgiveness events at the crucifixion, the forgiveness of Jesus’ executioners (Lk 23:34) and the forgiveness of the repentant criminal (Lk 23:43). John’s gospel also has the story of the forgiveness of a woman caught in the act of adultery (Jn 8:3-11).

Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation on two separate occasions. When Jesus was at Caesarea Philippi he told Peter, “I give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Mt 16:19); and then again, after the resurrection, Jesus breathed on the disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sin you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sin you retrain are retained” (Jn 20:22,23).

We have an inborn and instinctive need to be released of our wrongdoing. When we are burdened with guilt, it is amazing how we need to “fess up,” whether it be to a close friend or someone else. It is common to seek out an acquaintance, sponsor, counselor, or psychologist, to admit to our past shortcomings. It gives us a sense of relief from our past and a new lease on life for the future. The “Fifth Step” of Alcoholics Anonymous is a classic example. As valuable as these secular methods may be, none specifically acknowledges God’s central role in forgiveness. While it is critical for us to admit our evil deeds, it is even more important to humbly approach God for absolution. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the premier way to receive pardon for the forgiveness of our sins.

It is through the blood that Jesus shed on the Cross that we have the forgiveness of our sins (Jn 1:29,36; 19:34). The priest stands in persona Christi, in the person of Christ, as the mediator of God’s pardon for the penitent. It is Jesus who grants the gift of forgiveness.

If you are bent over by the burden of guilt and shame, please consider approaching the Sacrament of Confession. It is the premier way to receive pardon and peace.