Friday, January 25, 2013
Confession
I used to belong to a group of pastors that practiced private confession. One of our number refused to go to private because of a bad experience he had. After confessing his sin, the Father Confessor said something like, "That's okay. Everybody does that. I do that too. It's not a big deal." The Father Confessor's error is symptomatic of a big problem in the church today: There is no sin and no absolution. Sins are explained away or condoned. No one ever does anything that's really wrong. There are always extenuating circumstances that alleviate our guilt, rather than the word of the gospel. But in truth, sin is a big deal (it got Jesus killed). Just because sin is popular doesn't make it right. I have heard bishops and pastors, when confronted with the Word's condemnation of sins now accepted as virtues, say, "Well, yes, the Bible says... but the church has decided..." The church cannot say more, and it cannot say less either, than the Holy Scriptures. Sins are to be confessed and absolved, not ignored, not redefined in a more positive way, not passed over lightly. We cannot know the joy of Christ's forgiveness unless we first know we have sinned.
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Chemnitz -- May I offer a comment? I am 67. I lived 27 years as a Lutheran, and 40 years as a Catholic. I understand what you are saying. Private confession is very important, for many reasons. (I will not list them.) What I will say is this: You must examine your statement: "The church cannot say more, and it cannot say less either, than the Holy Scriptures." Well... Who interprets the Scripture? For example, Jesus teaches clearly on remarriage after divorce. What does a priest tell a penitent in Confession? He must go with the teaching of the Church. Period.
My question going back to the days of Living Lutheran and "Luisa, Karen V, John, kkahler, and Kathy S," is: Who interprets the Scripture? If it is not the Magisterium of the Church, the formula will not work. Private confession is very important for spiritual growth. This is why it is a Sacrament in the Church Christ founded on Peter.
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