The Dirtiest Word, Part Three

(continuing the series begun Nov. 1)

What shall we do about the fact of sin?

Well, first, we admit that we have fallen short.  We recognize those behaviors, words, and thoughts that have been unloving.  We recognize that our indulgence in them has put us out of alignment with God - not because God has turned from us when we sin but because we have turned from Love.  After we recognize our sin, we have a choice.  We can make excuses and attempt to rationalize it; this rarely has the effect of re-aligning us with God's love.

Or we can reject sin and choose re-alignment with God's love.  We repent and ask God's forgiveness.

In the past, penance was a means of demonstrating repentance.  This may bring to mind a variety of unsavory practices like torn garments, sackcloth and ashes, self-flagellation, and an assortment of uncomfortable practices and perspectives.  In our understanding, while such things have meaning for others, they are unnecessary in our effort to turn from sin and find forgiveness.

In the Roman Catholic church, the first step toward receiving forgiveness was to confess one's sins to a priest, who would then extend God's forgiveness to the penitent (John 20:23).   Unfortunately, many of the old practices and perspectives of repentance have been and still are influencing that sacrament.

As a lifelong Catholic, I have received the sacrament of reconciliation, as it is now known in the church, probably hundreds of times.  Some confessors ministered the discipline of the church, with harsh admonitions to honor my parents, to tell the truth, to keep from anger, or whatever I happened to confess that week.  They scolded me, then gave me my penance, which was normally the recitation of prayers for some intention, perhaps for the Holy Father or the hungry or the sick.  In later years, after Vatican II, the penance was often to commit some good work.

In addition, some confessors were better able to set their human personality aside in the confessional box, the better to minister God's everlasting forgiveness and love.  A priest who had been lied to all his life may get a little venting in before saying the words of forgiveness.  A priest whose parents had divorced might speak quite severely to a penitent who confessed an extramarital affair.  One who struggled with celibacy might be very hard on a young boy who struggled with impure thoughts or masturbation.  I do not say this to condemn such priests; I suspect they felt that it was God directing them to speak so sternly.  We are all human, and priests are no exception.

It is unfortunate, though, since in our understanding of the nature of God's love, the confession of even the most horrendous of sins would find a loving understanding and full forgiveness.  Like the Prodigal Son, we may approach the sacrament with our heads low in sorrow, but God meets us there in a joyful embrace filled with delight at re-established union.

In some churches, the practice is simply to ask in prayer for forgiveness.  When we are genuinely sorry, God forgives us.  Always.

In our church, we offer the sacrament of reconciliation, or confession, for those who desire it.  Why would anyone in their right mind want to go to confession?  Tune in tomorrow.