www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Questions regarding confession...

Dear Friends,

My old boss, a Carpatho-Rusyn Orthodox Christian, was once refused absolution in confession (he belongs to the ROCOR).

He had just confessed a sin that was absolved a month ago and the priest told him that "this is no joke, if that is what you think . . ."

And as he was leaving, the priest asked him quickly, "And did you recite the Canon of St Andrew before you came to confession today? No? Well, now . . ."

When I met him, he was labouring to complete the Canon of St Andrew . . .

I take no part in the conversation here other than to say that my struggle with my sins has been an uphill battle.

If confession is a remedy, then it perhaps should sometimes taste like bad cough syrup made from pine needle oil.

As Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said, "It used to be that only Catholics believed in the Immaculate Conception - and now everyone seems to think they are immaculately conceived . . ."

Yesterday, I could not stop crying over my sins, perhaps it was an additional sin of pride.

But confession reminds us, at once, of our sinfulness and then gives us a liberation through Christ that is positively, well, Heaven-sent!

Anyway, just wanted to share that, if it makes any sense.

My eyes are watery again.

Alex

I have an even more basic question about Confession. Perhaps it will shock some readers, but that is not my intention, and I apologize in advance if my question does shock.

What even bother going to Confession?

Protestants don't go to Confession with a priest; they confess their sins directly to Jesus; and I doubt that they are going to hell. I can see the value of going to Confession as part of visiting with a spiritual director. But, aside from that, why should we go to a priest to confess our sins? Why can't we confess our sins directly to Christ and ask Him directly to forgive us?

--John

Once again, I missed an error in my text after I posted it. My apologies.

Here is my question:

Why even bother going to Confession? Why can't we confess our sins directly to Christ and ask Him directly to forgive us?

Dear Friend,

Yes, we DO confess our sins and sinfulness directly to Christ our God!

We do it whenever we say the Jesus Prayer - Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

We do it when we recite the prayer of the Publican - O God be merciful to me a sinner.

There is a rite of forgiveness when we bow down our heads to the floor after our prayers and say:

Remit, pardon, forgive, O God, our offenses, both voluntary and involuntary, in deed and word, in knowledge and ignorance, by day and by night, in mind and thought, forgive us all things, for Thou art Good and the Lover of Mankind.

There are prayers for daily confessions of our sins etc.

But we go to confession as an act of acknowledgement of the fact that our sins and the reception of the Grace that heals our sinfulness is achieved within the ecclesial context of the Body of Christ of which we are an integral part.

To sin is to harm our relationship with Christ - and because we are members of the Body of Christ we, at the same time, bring disorder to it as well.

The Mystery of Confession heals not only our personal sins and sinfulness (a life-long process), but also restores us to full communion in the Body of Christ from which our sins have also alienated us from.

Outside the Church there is no salvation. In communion with the Church, especially through the Mysteries of Christ, our salvation is assured.

Alex

Thank you, Alex. You cleared that up for me and helped me to understand. :-)

--John

Dear Father Deacon Lance, +Through your prayers, may the Lord have mercy on us and save us! No problem Father...nothing personal in the least...just a reminder within 'the family' that we need to be careful about the precious conscience of each individual soul.

Much love to you...and a blessed Holy and Great Week!

Your poorest brother in Christ,
+Gregory, priestmonk

While we certainly can, and do, confess our sins to Christ (this is why we stand before the icon of Christ with the priest "listening in") we have to recognize that our sins go beyond just the individual and God. St. Paul tell us: Every sin we commit affects the entire Body of Christ. The priest, as the representative of the people, also forgives on behalf of the Body of Christ. We must never forget this broader understanding of our sin.

Also, of course, this is the way Christ wanted us to receive forgiveness from sin -- that's why he gave the Apostles and their successors the power to forgive sin.

Fr. Deacon Edward

Thank you Father Deacon Ed! Good comments and helpful.

My whole point is/was to begin to see the Mystery (Sacrament) of Repentence as the mystery where we are able to seek healing and forgiveness from Christ and the Church for our brokeness and weakness...our fallenness if you will. As such it seems to me that there is this attitude (mostly among rather modern elements of the Latin Rite, but also some Orthodox and Eastern Catholics) that if there's no serious matter (sins) we don't need to 'waste our time' in Confession and it's simply a waste of time. This has NEVER EVER been the attitude of the Church (Eastern or Western) about the Sacrament of Confession. So if the prodigal son were to come burdened with feelings of guilt or weakness or temptation or sinfulness---then we are suppose to say, "Hey, don't worry about it...it's no big deal!" NO---that doesn't seem to be in the spirit of either part of the Church of Christ. We as 'those set apart' by ordination have a special responsibility to encourge and preach repentence and NOT to sit in judgment, but to merely extend the Lord's constant concern and forgiveness to EVERYONE who seeks and knocks. Parish priests need to do a GREAT deal more to provide opportunities for Confession and Reconciliation. When I was parish priest in New York...that meant leaving CT at unreal hours to drive to my parish early enough to provide this (especially during Great Lent) and I think that's not something special I did, just what was my responsibility before God. I've never EVER made 'light of' anyone's attempt to make their Confession...or discouraged anyone EVER. We need to be MUCH more sensitive to the needs of people and stop trying to 'push' our theology (in most cases, renovationist at that) on others. Again I am reminded of a quote from my mentor, Fr. Gabriel (of Blessed Memory) who use to say always: "Little people will walk into Heaven on the heads of priests and bishops!" May the Lord have mercy on us!

Your poor brother in Christ,
+Gregory, priestmonk

Sorry to add my poor two cents to what has already been said . . . but I think Fr. Gregory is exactly right. Beth, in my experience, priests have always been very understanding and helpful when I have asked to go to confession outside of regular hours. Often I have hesitated to do so, but was always really glad afterwards. The priests won't bite your head off!

God bless and good luck to all during semana santa . . .

LatinTrad

Dear LatinTrad, You wrote this: " The priests won't bite your head off !"---let me add to this...(we were taught) that if any priest ever does, just say: Thank you very much Father...and walk away respectfully and go to someone else. No priest EVER EVER EVER has the right to 'bite your head off'---no matter what you circumstances or sins! Think (in the unlikely event that it does happen), 'maybe Father is not feeling well...or 'maybe he's ill.'

May the Lord gather us around Him in repentance!

Your poor brother in the Lord,
+Fr. Gregory

This thread has made me realize how very fortunate our parish is... Our pastor will hear everyone's confession anytime. If there is a visiting priest (and there often is), the visitor will start the liturgy, while our pastor hears confessions --- sometimes right up to the Little Entrance. If you stop Father in the hall after liturgy, he will gladly go back to the church and hear your confession --- and those of any other people who happened to notice the two of you going back into church.

What a gift -- one that I had taken for granted.

-- Penthaetria

Hi,

Because He is the offended party.

We are simply asking for His forgiveness in the terms He established. As the offended party, He is entitled to set the rules.

If He wishes to forgive anyone else, even if that person happens not to follow the rules, then that is His business.

Our business is our own sins, and we know how to ask for forgiveness for those.

So we do.

Out of obedient love and with great gratitude for such an awesome mystery.

Shalom,
Memo