Ask Father Norbert

Question asked at Sonfest ’04:

"What is the overall purpose of confession, since I don't understand why I should tell another person my sins?"

Confession is probably among the more misunderstood practices of our faith. Yet, it can be one of the most liberating, peace-giving and life-changing experiences that we could ever ask for. The simple fact that, from time to time, we "need to talk" to family or friends, sometimes to professionals such as guidance counsellors, doctors or psychologists, shows how necessary it is to share some of our personal matters with others. This is even more urgent, the more difficult, painful or uncomfortable our experience is. Of course, confession goes way beyond simply verbalizing some personal matters or asking for support and advice. Confession is the absolutely unique reality of being forgiven in the depths of our souls for whatever wrong we might have done and finding inner peace when guilt and shame have kept us in turmoil. Confession is God's acquittal after our conscience has convicted us. As Our Lord himself said to the woman caught in adultery: "… Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more." (Jn 8:11)

Confession or Reconciliation, as it is sometimes called, has been given to us by Christ who turned it into what we call a sacrament. A sacrament is a religious celebration which does not only mean something, but which actually does something. What Christ came to do at the time, he still does today for each and every one of us in these very same celebrations of the Church we simply call “sacraments”. And what he does there, no one else could possibly do, but we all need it and want it - desperately. This is what makes the sacraments, like Mass, baptism, confirmation, marriage or confession, so important and crucial.

Christ himself gave us confession on Easter Sunday night when he appeared to his apostles, his closest disciples and forerunners of today’s bishops, and he commanded that they continue his mission giving them, for this purpose, his own authority: "As the Father sent me, so I am sending you." Then he breathed on them and said: "Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins you retain, they are retained." (John 20: 19-23) So, although in confession we are telling our sins "to another person", that person - the priest - is actually acting in the name of Christ and in the person of Christ to forgive our sins. Christ could have chosen to forgive our sins in so many other ways, but he chose to associate other people in the process because we need to hear, see, talk and understand in a concrete way, often, as in all the sacraments of the Church, through the instrument of “another person”.

Now, this is actually what makes confession such a great thing. It helps us do what we really need to do and, deep, deep down, really want to do, namely ask for forgiveness and receive forgiveness in a most concrete way possible. Next to "I love you" there are probably no more crucial words in the human language than "I forgive you". At one time or another, we all need to hear these words, not just imagine them or reflect on them. At the same time, we also need to say out loud, not just think, what prompts forgiveness: "I am sorry. Forgive me". All of this, and a whole lot more, is being offered in Confession.

1. First, going to confession, especially on a regular basis, helps us really think about who we are and what kind of persons we really want to be and should be. It helps us reflect upon what is right and what is wrong in our lives and makes us see, not the way we would often like to appear before others, but the way God sees us.

2. Secondly, going to Confession makes us put into words what we might otherwise be too ashamed or afraid to admit and what might therefore cause trouble if we keep it buried inside of us.

3. Thirdly, we get it all out. In a most confidential, anonymous and private way, we get "off our chests" all the "stuff" we really need to get "off our chests" in order to unburden us and free us.

4. Then, through listening to the advice and explanation of the priest in confession, we get some help in forming our conscience and developing our spiritual life.

5. Next, we express our sorrow for sins committed and ask for God’s forgiveness which, again, is something we really need to put into words. We have come to call this act “repentance”. At the same time, we promise not to do any wrong ever again and to change our lives for the better. This, too, we need every so often: make good resolutions.

6. Then, in response, we hear the words every human heart longs to hear: “You are forgiven”.

7. In addition, the priest helps us make up for the offenses committed and re-establish the harmony damaged through our sins. This is what we call “penance” and is usually done through prayer or acts of charity.

The overall purpose of confession, the forgiveness of sins, was the very mission of Jesus in this world. He told his apostles: "There will be more joy in heaven over one repentant sinner, than over ninety-nine virtuous."(Luke 15:7) And in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11) he describes the great joy of the father welcoming the wayward son who returns home and asks forgiveness. In the end, Christ gave his life, dying on a cross precisely for this reason, to forgive our sins.

It is in confession, therefore, that Christ’s mission to save the world becomes reality. Here he reconciles us to the heavenly Father and to one another, and allows us to experience God’s mercy and peace, his hope and strength. Here, therefore, is the way to true freedom in our personal lives and to genuine peace in a troubled world.