Q Why do I have to confess my sins to a priest? Can’t I go directly to God?
A After his resurrection from the dead, Jesus met with his disciples and instituted the sacrament of reconciliation when he told them, “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained” (Jn 20:23). In doing this, Christ allowed the forgiveness of sins through the apostles and their successors (the bishops) and their assistants (priests). He would not have instituted this sacrament if he did not want it to be used here on earth; he intended that our sins be forgiven by celebrating this sacrament.
Venial sins can be forgiven outside of confession in several ways, including making a PERFECT Act of Contrition. Perfect contrition is sorrow for our sins because of our love for God, because they offend God, and not because we want to avoid punishment. Paragraph 1452 of The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called ‘perfect’ (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.”
However, if we want our venial sins forgiven, are we confident that we can make a perfect Act of Contrition? How would we be sure that God has forgiven us? Confession of our sins to a priest gives us the assurance that our sins are forgiven, even though we may not be a perfect penitent.
Sacramental confession is normally required to forgive mortal sins, but as you can see in the paragraph above, it is not always necessary. In some extraordinary circumstances, mortal sins can be forgiven outside of confession. For instance, if a Catholic is dying and there is no priest available to hear confession, with perfect contrition and the intent to celebrate reconciliation later (if possible), his or her sins will be forgiven.
We also receive spiritual effects through the sacrament of reconciliation: reconciliation with God by which the penitent recovers grace, reconciliation with the church, remission of the eternal punishment incurred by mortal sins, remission (at least in part) of temporal punishments resulting from sin, peace and serenity of conscience, spiritual consolation and an increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle (CCC 1496). The priest may also be able to give us sound, objective advice in analyzing our sins and how to avoid them in the future. What a bonus that can be!
Advent is a great time to go to confession, even if you do not have any mortal sins. The Catechism states “… confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the church. Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit” (CCC 1458). It’s not too late.
Q Why can’t a non-Catholic receive holy Communion?
A The Eucharist (holy Communion) is the source and summit of our Catholic faith, the pinnacle of our faith. Non-Catholics do not put such a high value on the Eucharist. By receiving holy Communion we are signaling that we are trying to live our lives according to our Catholic faith.
Receiving the Eucharist is an intimate encounter with Christ because we believe the bread and wine has truly been changed into his body and blood. To receive the Eucharist, we must believe that Jesus is fully present. Most non-Catholics do not believe this, so they would be disrespectful and dishonest if they were to partake in the Eucharist.
When we Catholics receive Communion, we show that we are members of the wider Catholic community – literally “in communion” with the church. We believe that we are in full communion with the Catholic Church, united with our bishop and with the pope. It would therefore make no sense for a non-Catholic to receive Communion because they are separated from the Catholic Church.
Deacon Hooper is a deacon assistant at Immaculate Conception Church in Denham Springs. He can be reached at [email protected].