Now we're getting into the meat of the book. As a relativly new Catholic I admit that my protestant background influenced me into thinking that asking forgiveness from God, bypassing the priest seemed logical and acceptable. In order to grow closer to God it's necessary to examine and acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses. Confession as my good friend continues to tell me is one of the forgotten sacraments. It's not a sign of weakness but strength when we come to confession. The author likens regular confession to washing your car. (Mine's dirty) The less you wash your car the greater the tendency to let it become a wastebasket for trash. After a while you don't even notice that it is a mess.
We all are sinners. We all are lost without a plan. How can we change direction or become the "best version of myself"? Kelly suggests that "reconciliation is the perfect spiritual tool to re-ignite our passion for excellence in the spiritual life".
William
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Confession, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (in the East: Metanoia = change of nous ("heart"/center of existence)=repentance), is indeed a forgotten Sacrament for many, especially in this Protestantized country. It is not only forgotten because of our individualistic, relativistic, and protestantized culture, but also because of some unfortunate practical realities. I have heard this figure, but correct me if I am wrong, that there are 3000 adult Roman Catholics for every ordained priest in the US. That seems high, but even if it's 1000, imagine the practical difficulties with weekly confession. 10 minutes of listening and counselling x 1000 = 167 hours/week!! (even monthly as Kelly advises would be well nigh impossible for the average priest). No wonder that Roman Catholic priests often encourage reconciliation "services" where absolution can be poured over a whole congregation rather than given individually. Once upon a time, confession was required before Communion (and people went to Communion daily!) would be offered. Hard to imagine a parish of more than 50 people or so. (as hard perhaps as it is to imagine a 50 person parish in an American suburb...:)
ReplyDeleteOur sins are ever before us. We sin every day. But because homilies tend to focus on a handful of major sins, priests less often wish to remind their parishioners of the 7 deadly sins, of our gossipfulness, our selfishness, what little we might have done for our neighbors. Heaven forbid: acknowledgement of our own sinfulness might lead to people's desire for frequent reception of Reconciliation - then what shall we do?
This has been a cultural shift (along with so many others) that we appear to have seen over the last 50 years. I don't pretend to know how to switch that culture back. Attempts for the Church to do so would quite possibly result in a greater departure for the exits than She already has (though with also perhaps a great spiritual awakening for those who are left)
I can recommend a few things that might help one's own Reconciliation experience: (though Martha's suggestions are also excellent)
1) Make 2 journals. The first should be a sum of every sin you can remember in your whole life. I did this exercise in Lent this year and came up with 60 pages of prose (Dr Golder knows how small I write too). Many things I had (purposefully) forgotten. Give this journal to your priest to read and destroy. The second journal could be a day by day effort like Ignatius Loyola recomended, to be completed before daily Mass. On Saturday, summarize that journal and read it directly to the priest. (there are manuals to help guide you with this process) Do this every week. Do the penance. Psalm 50/51 is especially good to recite before making the Sacrament
2) make Confession appointments. This process cannot reasonably take place in the 30-60 minutes usually allotted on Sat afternoons. It deserves more time than that. (and might give priests the notion that more time should be allotted for the Sacrament every week)
3) Pray for the priesthood. Encourage young people to seek the religious life. Pray that the Magisterium carefully acknowledges, examines, and cures the priest shortage, (and that the laity appreciate it as well!) Priests administer to us our spiritual medicine with the Sacraments, but the office of the preisthood appears to me to be in need of medical attention itself. (I heard a few weeks ago that the entire Republic of Ireland had only 16 incoming seminarians...)
Blessings,
Patrick
Excellent comments, as usual Ryan. As I recall it was not unusual for St. John Vianney to spend upwards of 160 hours a week in the confessional. We read about this, and other great Saints being such wonderful confessors that people came from miles around to have them administer the sacrament. At the end of the day it is a very personal thing, and as such requires priests! The numbers you listed above are likely accruate and your suggestions are good ones, especially # 3!
ReplyDeleteLuke
Though I've not been in the habit of writing journals, I seriously would recommend the "life confession". The catharsis of the writing process alone is worth it, and seldom have I ever experienced such a humbling experience. I would recommend it indeed, though giving your priest a "heads up" that such a document might be coming to him is also a good idea.
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