The Gift of Confession
One of the most controversial aspects of Catholicism for many Protestants is the sacrament of confession. When friends found out I had become Catholic, many said, “I don’t need to go to a priest because I can talk straight to Jesus about my sin.” While it’s true that Christ is our mediator to the Father, I believe that confession within the Church holds a special significance.
I recently attended a Protestant men’s conference in Madison, AL, where Craig Groeschel was the guest speaker. His message was a call for men to stand in the gap for their families. One thing that stood out to me was his comment on secret sins. He said, “We confess our sins to Christ for forgiveness. We confess our sins to one another for healing.” This simple but profound truth hit home.
When we sin, we not only need to be reconciled to God but also to the Church. This is the essence of the sacrament of confession. In confession, the priest acts as a representative of Christ, the One we have sinned against. With Christ’s heart full of mercy for sinners, the priest meets us with the grace of Jesus. Confession is, at its core, a ministry of reconciliation to God.
The priest also stands as a representative of the Church. When we sin, it’s not just our relationship with God that’s affected—our sins wound the body of Christ, the Church. Through confession, we are restored to the Church with no strings attached. Once our sins are forgiven and penance is completed, we’re free to move forward, fully embraced by the body of believers. It’s a deeply freeing and healing experience.
Today, we often view our relationship with God in an individualistic way, a shift that happened after the Enlightenment when Christianity became more focused on personal faith. But we were created to be united as one body. This unity is vital for our growth, our joy, and our protection.
One of the scariest passages of scripture for me is found in 1 Corinthians, where Paul addresses a church dealing with an unrepentant sinner involved in sexual immorality. Paul advises the church to “deliver him over to Satan,” which essentially means removing him from the community of believers. This is what it looks like to be outside the fold of God. We desperately need our brothers and sisters. We need the Church.
Leading up to my first confession, I was nervous. As a lifelong Protestant, I had never done anything like this. But all my fear was for nothing. The priest who walked me through it was one of the kindest people I had ever met. He listened to me with gentleness and grace. I feared judgment or rebuke, but he never gave either.
When I finished, the priest absolved me of my sins and gave me my penance. I immediately went to my truck and prayed the prayers he had assigned. As I sat there, I burst into tears, overwhelmed by the mercy and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. I was so grateful to have someone act on behalf of Christ and the Church, and hearing the words, “Son, your sins are forgiven,” brought immense relief and healing.
The sacrament of confession is truly a gift—a gift of reconciliation, healing, and grace.
