Thoughts from the Confessional
Last night, as I walked up the the aisle towards the confessional, I caught something out of the corner of my eye that made me smile. A young woman was sitting in a pew, phone in hand, preparing for the sacrament with the now famous confession app. Besides on my own phone, it is the first time I have seen someone actually using the app for what it was designed to do, to examine one’s conscience before entering the confessional.
It might surprise you to know what priests (or at least this one) are thinking as they sit on the other side of the confessional screen. I can’t speak for all my brother priests, but I would like to share a few thoughts on some common things that go through my head as I am hearing confessions. For those of you who come often to me for confession, don’t worry, no breaking of the seal will be involved in this post.
Many times I have been in conversations with both Catholics and non-Catholics alike who assume that it must be somewhat entertaining to sit in the confessional and hear people confess their sins, but I can assure you nothing could be further from the truth. What is happening in this sacrament is not reality television, but rather the witnessing of God’s mercy in action. Believe it or not, sin is pretty boring and most of us struggle with the same common sins. I can also say, it would be a pretty sad day when priests are entertained by the failures of their people. Our job as priests is to help people succeed in living the Christian life.
Probably one of the most common thoughts that is present while I listen to those expressing sorrow for their sins is how much more of a sinner I am than they are. God’s wisdom is apparent to me in this sacrament in which he has appointed sinners to listen to fellow sinners and then to announce God’s forgiveness to them. Priests are sinners too, and as such we can understand the need for the compassion that those who enter the confessional are seeking. It is very humbling to witness the faith evident in those who come to bare their souls in this sacrament.
Another thing that occurs to me more often these days is the great gift confession must be to those who are truly holy. It used to annoy me a bit to sit and to listen to lists of what on the surface seem to be very small sins, but as I have continued to grow in my priesthood I can more clearly see the value of these types of confessions. Those who frequently make use of this sacrament, even for small sins, are much less likely to fall into big sins. One might draw the analogy of the person who is good physical health, but still makes regular visits to a doctor to keep their health strong, rather than waiting until he is sick.
One last thought is the joy that comes when I continue to see people taking advantage of the sacrament of reconciliation, especially young people. God wants us to be healthy and happy people. One sure way to be unhappy is to carry around the heavy burden of sin day after day, alone with our failures. When I see people continuing to enter the confessional I know that our Church is still a place where the broken can come for healing.
What about you? What are your thoughts on the sacrament of reconciliation? What can priests do better to both promote it and to celebrate it in ways that assure people walk away feeling forgiven and encouraged to live as better Christians?
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