During Lent we repent. Why? We repent to get ready to meet our Maker. Without the act of God’s forgiveness we would not be ready for that day when we will see God as He is in glory. In this life it is something that we ask for all the time. We ask others to forgive us for our trespasses, so naturally we would ask God to forgive us when we sin against him as well. The first place we reconcile our lives to the Father is in Baptism. After that we can receive the greatness of God’s love by receiving the Eucharist. Despite God’s love for me I have learned that after baptism I am still prone to sin. I imagine that it is the same for most of us. As Catholics we go to confession to receive God’s mercy in a special way. In this sacrament we come to the priest, tell him how long it has been since our last confession and then tell him our sins. Sometimes he will give us some advice on how we can be more faithful to God and also give us an act of penance. Penance is not painful. Usually it is a prayer or kind act. We do this to thank God for His merciful love. Next we say an Act of Contrition, we receive absolution from the priest, and then go on our merry way ready to receive communion with our mind and heart renewed. As a priest I strive to go to confession once a month.
Most people may ask why go to a priest for forgiveness, why not just talk to God directly and receive forgiveness. It’s between me and God anyway. That is probably true, but the sacrament is not just for forgiveness, it is about communion too. If we commit a very serious sin like murder or adultery then we cannot receive communion until we’ve gone to confession and said we are sorry for our sins. Let’s try an analogy. Let’s say that the pitcher on the baseball team did something so bad against the team that he is kicked off the team. A week later he feels guilty about what he has done and wants back on the team. So he asks God to forgive him, but he is still not on the team. How does he get back on the team? He must speak with the coach, apologize, maybe even be given a task to complete for the team by the end of the season, and then he can play again. But he must go through the coach. The coach is the door to the team just as Christ in the person of the priest is the door to communion with the Church. Jesus left the Apostles in charge of the Church, the Apostles appointed bishops over large areas, and the bishops ordained priests to minister the sacraments in local parishes. This basic structure has not changed in nearly 2000 years.
This Thursday evening we will have a communal reconciliation service. My brother priests and I will be available to hear confessions in English and Spanish that night for all who want to purify their minds and hearts before God and His Church. In Lent we repent. This is a great way to prepare to meet our Maker before we celebrate the Resurrection.
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