Reconciliation
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It gives me great joy to write to those who want to learn more about our beautiful Faith. The Gospel for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time speaks of being forgiven and about forgiving others. God’s forgiveness of our sins should motivate us to forgive those who trespass against us. So, this is a good occasion to discuss God’s forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Many people don’t see the need for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They fail to see the blessing that comes in this sacrament. They see confessing to a priest as unnecessary, since they can appeal directly to God. They fail to see the beauty in this sacrament. They fail to see the beauty of God’s gift of mercy.
As you recall, a sacrament is a visible, perceptible sign which points to an unseen, divine reality. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is no different; it points to the love, mercy, and forgiveness of God. During this sacrament, the priest acts in the person of Christ….in Persona Christi. He makes real the love, mercy, and forgiveness of God.
Listen to the beautiful words of absolution which the priest speaks over a penitent:
“God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Rite of Penance 46)
Who would not want these powerful words spoken to them? Who would not want forgiveness, pardon, peace, and absolution? Only a person who thinks that his or her sin is a personal thing. Only a person who does not realize that their sin affects God, the Church, and the community. Only a person who does not realize that their sin separates them from the love and mercy of God.
I’m sure that some of you have experienced mixed emotions as you approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation. For me, I cycle back and forth between fear and comfort. After I overcome the fear of admitting and naming my sins, I feel a sense of comfort. Immediately thereafter, fear returns as I feel the shame of verbalizing my sins. Then, I have to work up the courage to actually get in line with others. There is some comfort in knowing that I am not alone. There is comfort in knowing that I am in the company of sinners.
Oh no! I can’t remember the words for the Act of Contrition. The fear is back. The priest’s greeting and peaceful presence is a source of comfort. When was my last confession?
Oh no! I can’t remember. I begin naming and enumerating my sins. When I finish, comfort returns. When the priest speaks words of absolution, I go way beyond comfort. I sense a peace that is hard to describe. This has to be the forgiveness of God.
Oh no! Now, it is time to receive my penance. The fear is back as I imagine an awful penance. This is where I have experienced the mercy of God as I have never received an awful penance, nothing even close to what my runaway imagination conceives.
On one unforgettable occasion, after my confession and absolution, my parish priest stood and asked me to stand after assigning me penance. He gave me a great, big bear hug and whispered in my ear, “You are a good man, Ray. Ray, you are a good man.” That was something that I really needed to hear that day. In that moment, I felt the love of God, and I really understood in “Persona Christi.” The beauty of the sacrament was made real for me that day!
I encourage you all to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on a regular basis. One day, you too will experience the beauty and power of this sacrament.
Holy Mary, Seat of Wisdom, Pray for us!
Your Brother in Christ,
Deacon Ray Rodriguez