Reconciliation 101: The Basics

Why do you Catholic go to Confession anyways? 

Reconciliation, Penance, or Confession is the Catholic sacrament of forgiveness and absolution of sins. It is an experience of God's mercy, that frees us from our sins and also encourages us to forgive and free others for their transgressions against us. Josh's understanding of Reconciliation pre-me was that Catholic could do whatever they wanted, tell the priest, and it was all fine and dandy, we were"forgiven". I think those misconceptions are key to understanding that actual basics of this sacrament.

Firstly, we cannot do whatever we want. Just like any Child of God, we have a duty and an obligation to try and do better. The end of the sacrament concludes with "Go, and sin no more," just as Jesus spoke with those He saved, like the adulterous woman or the blind man. Essentially, you have been forgiven, and do your best to not need to be forgiven again.

Secondly, we don't just go tell a priest. The sacrament of confession is one part therapy and two parts grace. The priest listens, and if he wants, can reach out and counsel the confessor. The priest can encourage them to recognize a pattern in their sins-maybe all of their sins are selfish or maybe all of their sins center around a particular person or environment-trying to help the confessor to do better next time. Oftentimes, our sins are habits, like gossip or lying, that we need practice and help overcoming. And that is the whole purpose of the priest. He is God's representative in that moment, trying to help guide and teach us to do better.

Finally, we are not automatically forgiven. The priest's absolution means nothing without a contrite heart. This is because it is not the priest doing the forgiving, but God. Even if the priest says the words, they aren't magic, they aren't automatic; only a contrite confession will heal the break between God and God's children. You have to be truly sorry for your signs, and you have to really mean your intention to try and do better. The acknowledgement that you screwed up isn't enough, God wants and demands a sincere apology. Remember the Jewish tradition of Sacrifice? They knew that God demanded repentance and they displayed this through sacrifice. Luckily, we don't have to sacrifice anything, just admit what we have done wrong and truly be sorry. Besides, it isn't like we do nothing to show our sorrow and contriteness, we are given a penance by the priest. Anywhere from prayers to baking your mother a pie, in an effort to make amends.


Tota tua,

P.S. Don't remember about the Jewish sacrifice tradition- check this out: http://catholiccompass.blogspot.com/2016/04/but-why-sacrifice.html

The Crying Woman

In today's Gospel, we hear a familiar story, about a woman who washes Jesus' feet with her tears, dries them with her hair, and then anoints them with expensive oil (Luke 7 36:50). As a child, it was a funny image. How does someone cry enough to wash another person's feet? Her hair must have been so long to be able to dry His feet like that... Gross, kissing someone's feet!

The image itself distracted me from the reality of the what this woman was doing. Now, as an adult and hearing this story, my pride cringes at the idea of kneeling before another person and washing their feet with my tears and drying them with my hair (although I still don't think my hair is long enough for that). Obviously, there is more to the story: Jesus informs her that her sins are forgiven and reminds the Pharisees that what she has done and the great love she has shown, which earns her great forgiveness in return. "Your faith has saved you," He tells her.

I think part of the impact of this story happens before the beginning. Try to just imagine acting like she does. Disregard the probability of it, but try to imagine being so sorry and ashamed for what you have done that you produce enough tears to wash someone's feet. Try to imagine planning this out, she obviously had forethought if she had purchased that jar of oil beforehand. Putting yourself low enough to the ground that you can was another's feet. Making the decision to put yourself literally at the feet of your Lord and admit all of your faults.

Would you be able to put your pride aside and do this? Keep in mind, Jesus has not told her that He is God, He has not risen from the dead yet, she is relying on faith and only her faith. Do you have enough faith in God, enough love for God, enough trust in God to put yourself out there? To cry in front of the leaders of your hometown and religion and physically, if not verbally, show how sorry you are for your sins?

Maybe we don't have to go so far though...

If what saved her was her faith, then maybe that is all that is needed. Faith that God will always forgive you, welcome you, and take you into loving arms. You have to trust that God will. And how can we, as Catholics (or Christians) do this? We can wash another's feet, we can ask for forgiveness either in prayer, at church, or in confession. But the important thing is that we have enough faith to ask in the first place.

 Ask and receive.


Tota tua,

LeAnn

Past

The past has an interesting way of popping back up when we least expect it. And depending on the situation, this can be either good or bad, oftentimes, it is a combination of both. The reality of it is that we are products of the past, and present is completely determined by this, and the ways if effects us.

It's most essential to remember that while our past, at one point in time it was the most important thing going on in our lives. The past was, at one point, our present. And while we can learn from our past, and can grow from it, we cannot change it. It is, after all, the past.

My advice this new year? Don't let the past tear you apart, don't hold yourself accountable for sins that have long since past. Your sins were long since forgiven, and if it's something you can't bring yourself to let go, here's where being Catholic can help to make a difference.

Confession. Ready, set, go!

"ForgivemeFatherforIhavesinnedit'sbeenXamountsincemylastconfessionandthesearemysins."

"I did, x, y, z, t, u, q, y again, and a few of h. Oh! And, l several times."

Then comes the exciting part, when the priest offers you some help. He may give you advice or encouragement, he may even just tell that it's going to be okay. After that, you receive absolution and your penance. Keep in mind, penance will be different every time, and must be done. It's as essential as confession in your quest to say sorry to God.

Keep in mind that the past is the past, the present is right now, and the future is on it's way, so why not do your best to prepare for it?

Don't cling, just let it go.

Totus Tuus,

LeAnn