Last night we had First Confessions of our second graders who are also preparing for their First Holy Communion, which will take place after Easter. There were six of us priests hearing the confessions of these second graders, and their parents as well. Parents who have prepared their youngsters for this sacrament know that at 7 years of age the conscience begins to kick in. It's actually quite moving to hear of second graders' repentance for doing something they know was wrong.
In this era of so many adults going to see therapists to discuss the deep dark secrets of their lives, a brighter light should shine on the value of the Sacrament of Penance, also known as Reconciliation and Confession. Just think, in the 10 steps of an alcoholic's recovery according to "the Big Book" of A. A., steps 4 and 5 involve telling another person the destructive things that one has done and then making amends for them. This is where the blame game stops.
If that's true with addictions, it's even more true with coming to realize that making sinful choices is where we limit our freedom. Anyone who has taken advantage of this sacrament in a purposeful manner knows the freedom that comes from confessing our sins to a priest who stands in for the Lord and absolves us. And, making a firm purpose of amendment to avoid the near occasions of sin, the grace of this sacrament enables us to experience a whole new start on life. We stop blaming our parents, our boss, our church and God, and we take ownership over our lives by admiting our guilt, and then, newly forgiven, we become free from carrying around the burden of the bad choices we made.
Why don't more people take advantage of the Sacrament of Penance?
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