August 12, 2009

Q: What does the Church teach about confession and the forgiveness of sins? Can we only confess to a priest or are we allowed to ask for
forgiveness straight from God? What’s the difference?

A: There is a big difference.  Only God can forgive sins, but Jesus gives power to forgive sins in his name to priests (Jn 20:21-23; Mt 16:19).  Confession has been part of the Church from the beginning. 

If we sin, we should immediately repent and ask God to forgive us.  But we should also go to confession, not only to ensure forgiveness, but to bring about real change that can only happen through sacramental grace. 

First, Jesus is sacramentally present through the priest in a profound way, ready to listen and forgive.  We truly encounter Him in the confessional.  Vocalizing our sins to a priest helps develop our relationship with Christ, because we are speaking to him; and humbles us, makes our repentance concrete, and helps us understand his merciful love for us in a way private prayer does not.

Second, the sacramental grace of absolution not only forgives, but cleanses our souls interiorly in a way not available through private prayer, opening our souls more deeply to the presence of God and over time strengthening us against future sinning, as we regularly confess our sins.
Third, absolved and filled with sacramental grace, we receive real interior peace as we are healed of sin and restored to communion with God.  Penance then configures us ever more closely to Christ, his presence growing in and with us.  We are also restored to communion with the Church, the mystical Body of Christ, and all the mystical graces that flow through the Body.

Confession offers so much more than forgiveness.  It offers real interior change, deep transformation in Christ and friendship with God.  We just need to make use of it!

This week’s apologist is Aimee M. Cooper, M.A., an instructor in the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. Send your question for Ask an Apologist to: editor@archden.org.