John 20:21-23 ~ Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so I send you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He sent out His apostles to spread the Gospel. They were supposed to represent Christ to the world. When a priest absolves someone of their sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, it’s not by his own power that he does it. Jesus imparts His power and His authority through the priest. He is Christ’s representative to us on earth.
When we confess our sins to the priest, we are really confessing our sins to God through the priest. In the same way, when the priest forgives our sins, it’s really God forgiving our sins through the priest.
Some people wonder why we should confess our sins to the priest instead of going directly to God. The reason is because we are human beings. We need things to be tangible, that’s just the way God made us. In fact, He even commanded us to confess our sins to others (through his servant James).
James 5:16 ~ Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
When we confess our sins out loud to another human being, it has a healing effect on our soul. We can’t keep things bottled inside. If we try to do that, the negative effect of our sin will only grow.
Here is what the Catechism says about confession:
CCC #1441 ~ Only God forgives sin. [Mk 2:7] Since he is the Son of God, Jesus says of himself, "The Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins" and exercises this divine power: "Your sins are forgiven.” [Mk 2:5, 10; Lk 7:48] Further, by virtue of his divine authority he gives this power to men to exercise in his name. [Jn 20:21-23]
CCC #1449 ~ The formula of absolution used in the Latin Church expresses the essential elements of this sacrament: the Father of mercies is the source of all forgiveness. He effects the reconciliation of sinners through the Passover of His Son and the gift of His Spirit, through the prayer and ministry of the Church:
“God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son has reconciled the world to Himself and sent His Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God grant you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
During confession, the penitent also says an Act of Contrition:
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and in failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend with your help to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us, in His Name, my God, have mercy.
If you would like to read more you can visit some of these web pages: Reconciliation and Penance (by Pope John Paul II), Forgiveness of Sins, Confession (includes quotes from the Early Church Fathers), and The Sacrament of Penance
Comments
Posted by Songwriter Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." 1 Timothy 2:5-6
*When we confess our sins to the priest, we are really confessing our sins to God through the priest. In the same way, when the priest forgives our sins, it’s really God forgiving our sins through the priest.*
"All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through HIS name." Acts 10:43
"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through JESUS the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you." Acts 13:38
"In him we have redemption through HIS blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." Ephesians 1:7
Why should I go through a priest to get God's forgiveness? Jesus came down to this sinful earth, lived a perfect life, died a horrible death to pay the price for my sins, He was the perfect sacrifice and He made a bridge between sinful man and all-holy God. Jesus made a way for me to get to God without having to go through a priest. God doesn't need a priest to go through. I believe that I can confess my sins to God, ask for His forgiveness, and He will forgive me. I believe I don't have to go through a priest.
* Some people wonder why we should confess our sins to the priest instead of going directly to God. The reason is because we are human beings. We need things to be tangible, that’s just the way God made us.*
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1
"Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29
I'll say it again. This is one of my favorite verses. "There is one God and ONE mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
Songwriter <><
Posted by thecatholicapologist Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." 1 Timothy 2:5-6
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What is your idea of a mediator? Someone who goes in between you and God?
Okay, then, think of this example. A friend comes up to you and says that she’s struggling with something. She asks you to pray for her. Do you quote 1 Tim 2:5 to her and tell her to go directly to God? Obviously, not. Some people may call you a mediator between your friend and God, but that’s really not the best word to describe it. You are acting as an INTERCESSOR. Although your friend is probably praying on her own behalf, she wants other people praying for her as well. It’s sort of the same way with confession. The priest is there as an intercessor for you.
Also, many people forget the fact that there aren’t just 2 people in the confessional. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”(Mt 18:20) Jesus is the biggest part of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Go back and read the prayers that I typed out in this post (both the one said by the priest, and the one said by the penitent). Maybe that’ll help you see a little more clearly what Jesus’ role in Confession is.
NOTE: The Act of Contrition (prayer said by the penitent) isn’t necessarily set in stone. The penitent can pray in their own words…what I typed out is the typical example of what the basic prayer sounds like.
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Songwriter: [Ac 10:43; 13:38; Eph 1:7] Why should I go through a priest to get God's forgiveness? Jesus came down to this sinful earth, lived a perfect life, died a horrible death to pay the price for my sins, He was the perfect sacrifice and He made a bridge between sinful man and all-holy God.
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Good verses. :) I agree completely. If it weren’t for Jesus’ redemptive sacrifice on the cross…confession would be completely pointless. The priest has no power except for the power imparted to him by Jesus Christ (Jn 20:21-23). Jesus was the one who made it possible for us to be forgiven of our sins.
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Songwriter: Jesus made a way for me to get to God without having to go through a priest. God doesn't need a priest to go through. I believe that I can confess my sins to God, ask for His forgiveness, and He will forgive me. I believe I don't have to go through a priest.
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Yes, we can be forgiven without confessing our sins to a priest. The point is not that God NEEDS the priest in order to forgive us. The priest is someone that God uses to help us heal from sin. When we disobey God, our souls are damaged. If we keep that sin inside…it’s only going to grow and become even more damaging. That’s why God commanded us to “confess our sins one to another”.
The priest is also representing the Church. Not only do we have to reconcile ourselves to God (first and foremost), we have to reconcile with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Confession keeps us accountable to both.
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Songwriter: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1
"Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29
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We can “see” the evidence of God’s greatness is all around us. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.” (Ps 19:1) We also “see” Christ represented in each other:
Matthew 25: 37-40 ~ Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
In the same way, we are supposed to represent Christ to the world, to “shine like lights in the darkness”. It’s not OUR light that’s shining…it’s Christ’s. He’s using us as vessels to bring His light to the world. And that’s exactly what the priest is doing in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Thanks for leaving your comment! I enjoyed visiting your blog.
Pax Christi,
~the Catholic apologist
Posted by Songwriter I enjoyed this conversation.
Songwriter <><
ps. i'm gonna add you as my friend. kk?
Posted by Claire Your Sister in Christ,
Claire
www.lily-maiden.blogspot.com
Posted by Songwriter Songwriter <><
come and visit my blog. you have a cool background template.
Edited by BabySquirrel on Nov. 12, 2006 at 4:02 PM
Posted by thecatholicapologist The Bible does not say anywhere directly that we must confession our sins to a priest. But, the idea of confession is not unbiblical.
John 20:21-23 ~ Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Matthew 16:19 ~ And I will give unto thee [Peter] the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Just as the apostles were called to spread the Gospel, they were also called to spread Christ’s forgiveness. They were representing Christ to the world.
2 Corinthians 5:20 ~ Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
The Catholic Church doesn’t teach that priests can forgive sins through their own merit. Their power comes from Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:18 ~ And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.
The Catholic Church has always taught that Christ is our only means of salvation.
“Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ who offered himself on the cross as a living victim, holy and pleasing to God, and whose blood has become the instrument of atonement for the sins of all men." ~ CCC #1992
Thank you again for your comment!
In Christ,
~the Catholic apologist
