YOUCAT*: Baptism does snatch us from the power of sin and death and brings us into the new life of the children of God, but it does not free us from human weakness and the inclination to sin. That is why we need a place where we can be reconciled with God again and again. That place is confession. [1425-1426]
Growing up, we were taught that there were two types of sin: mortal and venial. Mortal sins were the really bad sins; and venial, the not-so-bad sins. In either case, you went to Confession. Confession is also called the sacrament of Reconciliation, forgiveness, conversion or Penance. [CCC 1422-1424, 1486] In this sacrament, the priest acts in the person of Christ, to reconcile us, the sinner, to both God and the church. This sacrament involves a true conversion of our hearts to God. Essentially it means being sorry — not just sorry that we were caught doing something wrong, not just sorry that we feel bad about it, but truly sorry for the choice that we made. Being sorry means that we want to make things right and we don’t want to sin again. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” -1 John 1:8
#YearofFaith Challenge: Many of the parishes in our diocese will have additional individual confession times available during the season of Lent. Take an opportunity to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation.
*Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church
Lisa Gomes is the director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.