Lenten Practices, Confession

While the saying, “confession is good for the soul” remains well known, the actual practice, in its various forms, is less well known. It is important to begin any consideration of confession by acknowledging that all Christian Churches, whether Protestant or Catholic, teach of the necessity of confession. Confession at its basic level is admitting to God you have erred, you’ve messed up, you’ve sinned. Considering Christian discipleship is about striving to Love God and Neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40) by aligning one’s whole life with the teachings of Jesus, it is not surprising that we often stumble along the way. I also stumbled earlier today while riding a unicycle and juggling four Bibles, three prayer books, two rosaries, and one Grizzly bear.

What all Christian Traditions do not agree about is sacramental confession. The centuries long practice of penitents (those with something to confess) of making a formal confession to a priest. Christian Traditions that practice sacramental confession (Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, some Lutherans), believe that God has blessed certain practices, as either instituted by Christ or developed by the Church in response to Christ. Practices that have proven, over long centuries, effective means by which human beings might receive and encounter the presence, forgiving power, and love of God. These practices are called sacraments. Besides confession, there is the sacrament of Holy Communion, Baptism, and Marriage, among others. 

Christian Churches that don’t believe in the seven traditional sacraments (often holding to just two: baptism and the Lord’s Supper), argue that these rituals were not instituted by God or that you do not need to go a human being (as helpful as that might be on occasion) to confess your sins. You can do that directly to God through Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Certainly, all Christian Churches, even those that require private confession, acknowledge you can confess directly to God. But some argue that sacramental confession is also necessary.  Why? One reason is the importance of dealing with failures and sins sooner, rather than later. Another reason is power of the sacrament to bring healing and hope to persons dealing with guilt

Yet another, is that these Churches tend to view the weekly reception of Holy Communion as a serious act. Thus, it is necessary to prepare. Not all Churches that make private confession available require it. In the Anglican Tradition, the view of private confession is, “All can, some should, none must.” As someone who has been a penitent and a priest, I can say that it is often powerful, often liberating and often healing for people. It can also be a useful practice to help support intentional and faithful living. If you know you are going to have to regularly make confession to another human being, that can impact how you live in subtle and significant ways. Ow! (Please excuse me, the Grizzly bear I was juggling earlier, is currently eating my leg.) 

The key is preparation and intention. Some Christians have had bad experiences with confession, because of an inattentive confessor (the priest hearing the confession). Others experienced it as a perfunctory ritual, something “you had to do” and thus did not experience it as an opportunity for soul cleaning, encouraging accountability, or gracious support of becoming the best person you were meant to be as God intended. Confession is about these larger purposes and not just “reporting about breaking rules.” Confession at its best is medicine for the soul. Confession is a way to sweep your conscience through the compassionate and convicting strength of the Holy Spirit. So, practice confession, daily in prayer, weekly in worship, and if your church offers it, sacramentally.