Friends
Peace be with you.
For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been talking about the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Two weeks ago, I gave an outline of how the Sacrament is normally celebrated and last week I recommended a couple of Examinations of Conscience so you would know what to confess. Today I’d like to take away one of the biggest concerns people have about coming to confession: how the priest is going to react. There have been times when I have been reluctant to go to confession because I didn’t think a particular priest would be very kind. When I have managed to set aside those fears, I have always found them to be entirely unfounded. I suspect part of the reason I have these fears goes back to the prince of fear himself, the evil one, and part of it has to do with my own pessimistic nature. So, with that in mind, let me try to put any fears you have to rest.
First, I am not going to think less of you because of any terrible sin you have committed. I will admire you for courageously facing your sins, naming them, and being free of them. Don’t worry that I’m going to be so scandalized that I’ll go running out of the confessional asking for help because your sin is so bad. I’ve said this before but I truly mean that I’ve done college ministry at Iowa State, Waldorf College, Loras College, and Clarke University. Think about what you did in college or watched others do and then think about the sin you think is so terrible that you can’t confess it. I’m guessing it can’t be much worse. I promise to do my best not to react facially regardless of what you say other than to be overjoyed that you are confessing.
Second, I’m not going to be mad at you because it’s been a while since you came to confession. Again, I’ll be overjoyed that you’re there. The Church asks us to go to confession whenever we are conscious of committing a mortal sin or at least once a year even if we aren’t conscious of committing a mortal sin. I know some people who feel guilty if they don’t go to confession frequently and it’s okay to set standards you would like to live up to. I would hope, however, that missing a self-imposed standard wouldn’t lead to someone deciding not to go to confession out of fear that the priest will be angry. Again, we’re just glad you’re there at that moment. Even if it’s been many, many years, we don’t care.
Lastly, please don’t read too much into the tone of my voice or my facial expressions when you do come. I’ve been having neck pains since January and they seem to act up most while I’m sitting in the confessional. There’s more of a chance the perpetual crick in my neck is acting up than I’m upset with you. And if I sound somewhat robotic when I give you absolution, it’s mostly because they changed the words on me a little over a year ago and I still mess it up so I depend on the card for validity’s sake. I promise you, whether it’s been years or hours since your last confession, I’m glad you’re there and I will do my best to treat you with kindness and love. There are many more things I could say including assurances that I never talk about anyone’s confession but I’ll leave it there for now.