Dearest friends,
At the CONFESSIONAL, we meet the MERCIFUL Jesus face-to-face. When we make a sincere confession, He forgives us through the ministry of the priest. This forgiveness is complete, relieving us of the burden of sin and renewing our entire being. We experience this through the joy and ease that overshadow us as we leave the confessional (cf. CCC, n. 1468).
The Church’s catechetical tradition teaches that confession made to a validly ordained priest, without INTENTIONAL CONCEALMENT of sins, is a good confession that blots out the guilt of sin, regardless of its GRAVITY. This teaching is based on God’s Boundless Mercy (cf. CCC, nn. 1493-1497, Igbo Catechism, nos. 453-455).
After making a good confession, Jesus tells the penitent, just as he told the adulterous woman, “Neither do I condemn you, go and SIN NO MORE” (cf. Jn 8:11). He urges the penitent to forget the past sins, no matter how grave, and see the new friendship he has established with him/her.
👉🏼Unfortunately, there are some Catholics who are yet to believe in the efficacy of this sacrament of CONFESSION. Such persons, after making a good confession, still allow the shadow of the sins they have confessed to haunt them. They feel some sort of doubt in them concerning the possibility of their heinous sins being wiped away just by the few words uttered by the priest. This is indeed an expression of FAITHLESSNESS. Remember that FAITH is a supernatural gift of God that enables us to believe without doubting whatever God has revealed (cf. CCD, no. 9, Igbo catechism, no. 9).
Jesus Christ demonstrated His authority to forgive sins during the healing of the paralytic (cf. Lk 5:17-26). He gave this same power to the apostles, saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained” (Jn 20:22-23). This authority is still alive in the Church.
If you struggle to believe and frequent this holy sacrament, pray for the gift of FAITH, and God will grant it to you.
We pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Refuge of Sinners, to always support us with her powerful intercession. Amen🙏🏼
Remain blessed🙏🏼
