Fr. Bob's Message

This Sunday, the story of the raising of Lazarus gives us the famous quote of our Lord,  “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The way, truth, and life is the stuff of music, poetry, and many spiritual writings. It gives us a context for living our faith. And yet, we are constantly looking for another way to God. A way that is easier, not so demanding; a way that provides options or, at the very least, does not require so much of us. When in our right state of mind, we know there is no other way. Nevertheless,  we keep on trying to find another way to God, another truth by which to live, another life in which there is no suffering... This is the stuff of sin where we make choices for things that are of a false truth, a different way, and a life where we make ourselves God. It all sounds so dramatic, but it’s not. It’s all so very subtle.

The “re-set” is the Sacraments. Staying close to the Eucharist and Confession especially helps us to reengage in the way, the truth, and the life. The Good News, revealed in the Gospels, is that God provides the perpetual opportunity to be reconciled with Jesus as Way, Truth, and Life. The opportunity is in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). It is there as often as we need it because there is no limit to God’s mercy.    

The priest sits with us in confession in the person of Jesus Christ. This is made possible through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The Bible identifies many persons who are appointed by God to speak or act in His name: Think of Moses, his brother Aaron, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Ruth, Elijah, Jerimiah, Peter, Paul, Mary Magdalene, Martha and Mary of Bethany. The priest helps us to make a good confession by guiding what we want to say. He gives us a word of encouragement and, of course, grants absolution and pronounces that we are forgiven. 

When you enter the confessional, let the priest know how long it has been since your last confession. If you don’t remember, simply say that. Knowing this gives the priest a context for what you will say next. When confessing your sins, simply name them. It’s helpful for the priest to know if the sin was a one-time thing or   happened over a period of time or is chronic. You don’t need to explain the sins or give the back story. Simply state them. The priest may ask a question or two to get clarification on something you said. He is not there to probe for details or go exploring for other sins. If appropriate, the priest may speak a word or two to encourage you to live your faith authentically. 

The priest gives us a penance: that is, he asks us to do something in which we demonstrate to God our resolution to avoid sin moving forward. The penance may be in the form of a prayer or an act of charity. Not too many realize, but you are allowed to ask for a different penance. If the penance the priest offers is not possible for you to complete, you can ask for a different one. The one who is going to confession makes an act of contrition. This is a prayer in which the person expresses sorrow for his/her sins and asks God for the grace to avoid them in the future. The act of contrition can be one that is memorized or spoken spontaneously or read.  Most confessionals will have an Act of Contrition written down that you can read.  

The priest pronounces the words of absolution in which we are cleansed of those sins and given the chance to start over. Such is the power of a Sacrament.  

-Fr. Bob Blaney