A.C.T.S. Part 2-- Confession
Last month we introduced the acronym of A.C.T.S as a method of prayer, which stands for: adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. During the seasons of Advent and Christmas, we focused on the adoration component of praying. This was especially true during the special Advent worship services and the celebration of Christ’s Incarnation.
For the season of Epiphany, we wanted to highlight the prayer aspect of confession. There is a two-fold reason for doing this. The first is to debunk the common notion that the season of Lent should be the “proper” time to be penitent in our spiritual lives. And the second is because the season of Epiphany focuses on the manifestation of God’s glory in Jesus Christ being made known to the world. Very early on in his ministry, Jesus made it known that sins could be forgiven, merely through his word. Jesus demonstrates his power to forgive sins in speaking to both the paralytic in Mark 2 and the “sinful” woman at Simon’s house in Luke 7. This in addition, to the cry of Jesus from the cross, asking the Father to forgive the sins of those involved in the crucifixion, “for they know not what they do.”
In Christ, forgiveness of our sins is available to us, which means that we are restored into a right relationship with God. Because sin blocks us from receiving the full power and glory of God, forgiveness creates a path in which God’s glory is made manifest in our lives. This is why confession is so important. Confession of our sins leads to forgiveness of our sins. Confession of our sins, in a sense saying, “I’m sorry” to God, allows God to remove that barrier—that shame and guilt of sin from our lives and instead fill us with the glory of God’s joy and peace. Moreover, Jesus has given us the opportunity not only to receive forgiveness, but to offer it as well. For some, this “opportunity” might sound more like a “command”: “forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us…,” but nevertheless confession and forgiveness walk hand in hand together to bring healing and reconciliation in relationships, and to make manifest the power and glory of God’s great love for us.
Therefore, confession and forgiveness are linked together. In tandem they create the healing and renewal of relationships with God and one another. Apologizing to your spouse for a wrong you have committed has no healing power without their forgiveness of that wrong. Likewise, holding a grudge against those who have wronged you, even after their repentance, brings no peace to your relationship. We are called to both seek forgiveness through confession, and offer forgiveness to those who have sinned against us. We do not get to choose one over the other. They are both vital to our spiritual life. And yet, even within this unbreakable link, I believe that Confession and Forgiveness are two separate spiritual practices.
Because of the weight and importance of each, we will, for the focus of this writing, look primarily at the practice of confessing our sins and receiving God’s forgiveness. As stated above, confessing our sins to God allows God to pour out forgiveness in our lives; thus bringing healing and renewal into our relationship with God. Note there are two things that must happen: we must confess our sins and we must receive God’s forgiveness. In some ways, confessing is easier. “God forgive me for making that obscene gesture at the driver of that car.” But what if I keep confessing that sin over and over. Then I am not receiving God’s forgiveness. (provided you are not continually making obscene gestures.) Have you done this? Confessed over and over for something that was really troubling you? We are refusing God’s grace when we do this, and denying the forgiveness of God to impact and empower our lives. Billy Graham once said, “I can do something that God cannot do…I can remember my sins. God chooses not to.” When we confess, God forgives…and our sins have been abolished and absolved. We are called to move on in our relationship with God.
How do we practice confession in order to keep our relationship with God in right order? One, as sins come to mind, offer them to God. Repent of those things that separate you from God’s love, and simply ask for forgiveness. You will be forgiven. Period. However, there may be times in your life where you struggle with receiving forgiveness. You feel a deep shame or unworthiness in your life. In these cases you might want to confess to a close friend or make confession to a priest through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Reconciliation, also more commonly known as Confession, creates a wide number of reactions and responses. Some associate this as purely Catholic, others affirm (correctly) that Jesus alone forgives their sins, and still others just do not want anyone (especially their priest) knowing their sins. However, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, can really be just that—a way in which you are reconciled in a deeper way to God, especially when you are struggling to receive God’s forgiveness in your life.
A couple of years ago, a woman came on the first day of Holy Week for the service Reconciliation. She was very nervous and had never confessed her sins to a priest. I was expecting a litany of sins that had been committed, but she had only one. I don’t recall what it was (generally, speaking God clears my memory of these sins as well)—only that it was fairly commonplace. Honestly, I never would even have recalled her coming, if it was not for her approaching me a couple weeks after Easter. She told me how meaningful and powerful the Holy Week services were; and the joy she experienced on Easter day. She said that it all began the first day of Holy Week and that going to confession freed her to “fully experience the wonder and glory of God.” This woman’s story highlights two things: the first is that while we might think our sins are pretty bad, they are probably no worse than anyone else’s; and the second is that even small sins can block us from receiving the power of God’s forgiving love if we hide them and allow shame to build within us.
It is this shame that can be our biggest enemy. Shame that says you are not worthy of God’s love. Shame that speaks lies against who God created you to be, saying, “you’re too dumb, bad, fat, ugly, hypocritical, poor, useless, etc.” Shame of experiences that we have had. Shame of secrets that we hold in, afraid that if anyone found out then it would prove that we were “a horrible mother, father, employee, etc.” More than anything else confessing your sins, whether to a priest or just a good friend, defeats shame. The secrets and lies can not build, can not take over, and can not become huge barriers to receiving God’s love and grace. This grace, which has been made manifest to us in Christ Jesus.
I encourage you to practice the act of confession of your sins to God, and subsequently of receiving God’s forgiveness. Allow yourself to be relieved of your sin and shame and receive the full blessing and grace that God has for you in Christ Jesus our Lord.