Celebration of Reconciliation

Many Catholics arm themselves with reasons to not participate in the sacrament of reconciliation. 

They include “I don’t have time/the confessional line is too long,” “I’m a good person, do good works and pray, surely God forgives me;” and “I know the priest, it’s a private matter and embarrassing to tell him what I have done” (and by the way, why should I confess my sins to another sinner, can’t I go directly to God)?” 

Others say they are “aware of my mistakes. I can correct them myself. I’ll go when I’m really sorry.” 

And perhaps the most heartbreaking of all: “I don’t feel forgiven” and “God isn’t going to forgive me – my sins are too great.”

Refusing to go to confession denies us the opportunity to receive God’s love and compassion and restore our relationship with him and the church, according to Father Jerry Martin, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Prairieville.

The true reason people do not go to confession goes much deeper than what they say, according to Father Martin.

“Remember the story of Adam and Eve?” Father Martin asked. “Almighty God approaches Adam about his sin, what does Adam do? He blames it on Eve. When almighty God approaches Eve about her sin what does she do? She blames it on the serpent.”

“I’m afraid now it’s instinctive to human nature to deny our guilt,” he said. “And to blame our sin or our guilt on something outside of ourselves. We might want to blame the other person. We’re experts at projecting the blame outside ourselves.”

When people believe their sins affect only themselves, they are denying that their sins affect others, the entire church, which is the body of Christ.

Unfortunately, these errors of thought and fears concerning the sacrament of reconciliation have caused a steady decline in the number of those receiving the sacrament of reconciliation and are passed on from generation to generation.

Receiving the sacrament of reconciliation is part of our love relationship with God which is emphasized during seasons of repentance such as Lent and Advent, emphasized Father Martin.

He said the perfect cure for the denial of guilt is to hear what Jesus is really telling us in the sacrament of reconciliation.

“Jesus is telling us, ‘I love you so much that I’m not just anxious, I’m dying to forgive your sins. I love you that much,’ ” said Father Martin. “Unfortunately, so often when people go to confession, they don’t pick up on Jesus’ love because they’re too busy dealing with the guilt, the shame, the embarrassment, the nervousness, the awkwardness and the feelings of unworthiness.”

All those negative feelings change when the penitent understands the one who loves them most, Jesus, is present, Father Martin said.

In that respect, the sacrament of reconciliation can be seen as “the celebration of reconciliation,” according to Father Martin.

“When the one who needs your confession the most (God) sees your sins and tell you ‘I love you’ you feel loved, you don’t feel dirty,” said Father Martin.