What we see happening today may So, as you can see, words about Confession, or not having a firm purpose to avoid at first appear to be rather strange. when Jews confessed their sins and you can see why it’s one of the sin or the occasions of sin (occasions People are going up to before St John the Baptist and were seven Sacraments. of sin can be persons, places, things, John the Baptist in the Jordan River symbolically washed clean by him, To His Apostles, Jesus said: or any act that previously led us into and they’re confessing their sins to there was no shock at the ritual; “As the Father has sent me, even sin or made us susceptible to sin). him. rather, something like it was already so I send you.” And when he had Odd as it may seem, a part of Jewish life, said this, he breathed on them, For this reason, the Church teaches the confession of sins is not and was carried over into the and said to them, that in order to receive absolution we something unique to us as Catholics. New Testament. “Receive the Holy Spirit. must first confess all of our serious This practice was well-established by As you can also see, If you forgive the sins of any, sins and the number of times we the Jews. to the early Jewish converts to they are forgiven; committed them (as far as we can According to the instructions God Christianity, if you retain the sins of any, remember without turning gave to Moses in the Book of the Sacrament of Reconciliation they are retained” (Jn 20:21-23). this encounter with Christ into a Numbers (Num 5:6-8), (otherwise known as the Sacrament These words of Jesus imply that He memory test) and express a sinner had to offer an animal as a of Penance or Confession) didn’t expects sins to be confessed. the dispositions by which forgiveness sacrifice for his sin. appear as a startling innovation. How would the priests of the Church can be received; namely: sorrow and When the penitent gave this animal A ritual accompanied by confession know which sins to forgive and which firm purpose of amendment.1 to the priest, of sin was one of the many Jewish sins to retain if they didn’t hear them? Despite this clear teaching of the the priest decided – according to the practices which passed over quite Catholic Church, you may have come gravity of the sin – whether the naturally into the religious life of Upon providing this explanation, across some people who have said, animal presented for sacrifice was of Christians. some people have asked, “Why did “Oh, you Catholics are hypocrites! sufficient value or not. Jesus tell His Apostles that some You have this crazy, Animals that were sacrificed could A Jewish convert could see at once sins are to be retained?” What does so called sacrament that you foolishly range anywhere from as small as a how the New Law fulfilled the Old: He mean?” think gives you God’s pardon and dove to as big as a bull calf. he still had to go to a priest and admit peace; yet, you go off and This practice was prescribed in the his need for forgiveness; Since Jesus forgives sins through the commit the same sins again!” Book of Leviticus (Lev 5:10-11,18; and still had to hope for pardon in the ministry of the priest, 6:2-7). blood of a Victim – no longer a beast the priest can’t do anything that If anyone tells you this, you can say, How else would the priest know if the of the herd, but Jesus Christ, Christ Himself can’t do; namely: animal that was given to him was of the Lamb of God, offered once and absolve our sins if we aren’t sorry. 1 sufficient value or not, for all – possessing a power to cf. Council of Trent, Session XIV, ch. 5; Rite of Penance, 6 b, 7 a; Code of Canon Law, unless he knew what sin the animal redeem available at every moment. Not being sorry means: not believing 1983, can. 988, §1; John Paul II, On Certain was being offered for? Add to this development Jesus’ own what we did was wrong; Aspects of the Celebration of the Sacrament of Penance (Misericordia Dei), nos. 1, 3.

2nd Sunday (Contrition & Confession) P a g e | 1 “I agree that a person would receive would obtain by making the same wanting to offend the one that we My heart was heavy, for there are this sacrament in vain if he or she acts without the sacraments because love rather than a fear of being eternal repercussions that weigh in had no intention of avoiding sin. Christ Himself is at work in them. punished. the balance between being able to After all, Jesus told His Apostles that This reality is especially true of the This difference can be well- help this man or not. such sins had to be retained. Sacrament of Reconciliation because appreciated with the assistance of Given that this priest was well- But we do believe that if a penitent is the Church teaches that imperfect the following true story. seasoned with many years of repentant in this sacrament, contrition without the Sacrament of A priest came to the bedside of a pastoral experience, he will indeed be forgiven. Reconciliation – cannot obtain the Catholic man who was dying. he knew exactly what to say. We believe this on account of forgiveness of serious sins; whereas, When the priest asked if the man I was amazed by his wisdom. Our Lord’s own words.” imperfect contrition is enough to would like to make his peace with The priest kept calm and simply said: dispose us to obtain God’s God, “Are you sorry that you aren’t sorry?” On this point, you may recall what forgiveness in Confession.2 the man said, “Oh, Father, you’re The man paused for a moment and St John the Baptist said to the Let me explain this difference and wasting your time. I don’t think then said, “Yes.” Pharisees and Sadducees. then provide an example. there’s any hope for me because I’ve Consequently, the priest was able to As they were approaching him while An imperfect contrition differs from a been too attached to sin all my life. give the man absolution because he he was baptising in the River Jordan perfect contrition in this manner. The priest replied, “God is more had evoked from him at least an he shouted, “Brood of vipers! Who Although an imperfect contrition is a powerful than your sin. You can trust imperfect contrition. told you to flee from the retribution sorrow for sin prompted by the that if tell God you’re sorry, that is coming?” Holy Spirit and born of the God will forgive you.” When I heard this true story, In other words, Jesus was saying, consideration of the ugliness of sin or “That’s the problem,” said the man, if your response is anything like mine, “Are you coming here to have your the fear of eternal damnation, “my whole life has been I was moved in awe and wonder in sins cleansed without truly being this degree of sorrow is inferior to characterised by loose living – I’ve knowing that this man died in God’s sorry for them?” perfect contrition. been promiscuous throughout my pardon and peace. Another teaching of the Church Sorrow is perfect when it’s born of entire life – I’ve been so Knowing that an imperfect contrition which many people are ignorant the consideration of God’s love for attached to sinning, is sufficient to receive God’s about is this. us. that I’m not even sure if I’m sorry.” forgiveness in this sacrament is God is not restricted to the If fear is associated with perfect indeed very reassuring. sacraments in forgiving sins. contrition, If you were this priest, We can receive God’s forgiveness unlike imperfect contrition, what would you say to help this man? Many appear to be unaware of this through a perfect act of contrition, it’s not a servile fear but a filial one, When I heard this story, teaching, for some Catholics are especially at the point of death. that is, it’s a fear that comes from not I considered how helpless I would known to think, Still, we receive far more abundant feel in not knowing what to say “I don’t need to go to Confession. graces from the sacraments than we because the man had no contrition. I’ve told God in prayer that I’m 2 cf. CCC, no. 1453.

2nd Sunday (Contrition & Confession) P a g e | 2 sorry. Magdalene.3 Calling people to repent would’ve We’re making room for Christ in our God has forgiven me already.” During the lifetime of the Apostles we been no easy task. lives. can see that Jesus’ instructions about He would have had no problems from On this point, we’d do well to note the confessing sins were put into practice those who were sincere; in fact, If you haven’t been to Confession for stern words St John the Baptist said because both St John and St James they would’ve esteemed him greatly, a long time because you’re afraid of about presumption to the Pharisees tell us that those who confess their but those who were not would’ve misrepresenting the good in you if and Sadducees today. sins will receive God’s forgiveness easily become defensive. you talk about your weaknesses and While it’s true that our venial sins can (Jam 5:16; 1 Jn 1:9). that it takes too much humility to do be forgiven without Confession, St James’ words provide particular Likewise, in our contemporary so, thinking that serious sins are forgiven clarity because he prescribes “self- society, then you have not contemplated the through prayer alone is complacent. help” for everything other than I think it’s fair to say that many are significance of Christmas! For we can never be sure if we have sin. rationalising the areas of their lives When Christ lowered Himself by perfect contrition for our sins. For example, he says, “Is anyone which are not in conformity with taking upon Himself our human among you suffering? Let him Christ. nature, This understanding does not mean pray” (Jam 5:15). Perhaps the following analogy may do you think He was misrepresenting we shouldn’t strive to have perfect But for the forgiveness of sins, help, then. His goodness; contrition when we go to Confession. The Apostle St James said Remember when you were a kid… the goodness of God? Ultimately, the more perfectly “presbyters” (i.e., priests) should be It’s Christmas Eve and you’re looking disposed we are to this sacrament called upon (Jam 5:14-15). forward to the following day when Have you considered that in the more graces we receive. you open your presents. becoming man – by taking upon Just as the Jews went to St John the Did your parents ever say things like, Himself the weight of our own As for how much sanctifying grace is Baptist to be washed clean of their “Santa Claus won’t come into your sinfulness – have you not considered given, sins to prepare themselves for the bedroom if he sees it all messy… how much God had to be humble? St Thomas Aquinas said that since coming of the Messiah, Quick, clean your room!” A beautiful movement in our soul the effects of Confession are always going to Confession during Advent to takes place when we are inspired to in proportion to the excellence of our prepare for Christmas is a common When I was a little boy, reciprocate Christ’s humility in this dispositions with which we receive practice in the Church. cleaning my room often felt onerous; sacrament. this sacrament, but, it never felt like a chore on So much peace is engendered upon we have the opportunity to arise to an Have you ever wondered what being Christmas Eve because the longing doing so, together with a deeper even greater grace than that which in the shoes of John the Baptist and excited expectation of receiving yearning to be more intimately united we had before we sinned, would be like? those gifts brought about a fervour to to Him. as was the case with Mary prepare myself to receive them. Repentance is something like that. 3 cf. Summa Theologica, III, q. 89, art. 2.

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