I both like and dislike confession. I don't like recalling all things I've done wrong and I don't like having to tell another person about them. It's kind of like going o the dentist. But once you go a heavy burden is lifted and you walk away a changed person. not that you won't ever sin again but it's nice to have a fresh start and know you are forgiven.
Last year at the Catholic mes Conference I took part along with 1400 other men in confession. It was wonderful to see all these men stand up, take responsibility and seek forgiveness.
Lent is the perfect time to prepare you head and heart to welcome Jesus. Yet a number of Catholics taking part in confession has plunged. In response, the Archdiocese of Washington is launching its biggest marketing blitz this week, using ads on buses, subway cars,billboards, 100,000 brochures and radio spots in an effort to get people back to the confessional.
The campaign highlights the church's alarm that Catholics are ignoring a fundamental ritual meant to keep them holy and close to God.
The Washington Post writes: Priests and sociologists of Catholicism have theorized about the drop for years. Is it because of a culture that tells us we aren't responsible for what we do wrong? Or could it be something less dark: that the traditional Saturday confession time has simply been gobbled up by youth soccer leagues and errand-mania? Or maybe something more dark: that we don't even know what sin is anymore?
The campaign, the first big public endeavor by the new archbishop, Donald Wuerl, is timed to start with Lent, the 40-day period of reflection and penitence that started yesterday, Ash Wednesday. The 100,000 brochures that parishes are distributing lay out rules for the rusty, complete with a pop-out, wallet-size card ("Step 3: Confess all of your sins to the priest. If you are unsure or uneasy, tell him and ask for help.").
Also known as the sacrament of reconciliation, confession involves several mandatory steps: being sincerely contrite, articulating to a priest (who stands in the place of Jesus) what was done wrong, apologizing, receiving an assigned penance and being forgiven.
I know it's intimidating and many say "Why do I need to confesses to a man when I can just talk to God?" but God instructs us to confess our sins to one another. He has also called the priest to a lifetime of service to the Lord.
I encourage you in this time of Lent to make confession part of your preparation of the coming of the risen Lord.
3 comments:
Amen to your comment about confession. I personally feel so much better when I go and I feel that if more people went they would feel the same way.
Thanks. I want to be careful about judging things based on feelings but I think confession is a must for every Christain. Sadly many just think about there sins, they think they are sorry and they think they are forgiven. That not confession. That guilt swept under the rug.
What you said in your blog about confession is so very true, as anon. mentioned in another blog confession makes them feel better, like a weight being lifted from ones soul.
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