Do This To Cleanse Your Spiritual House
It’s Saturday, and that means three things for Catholics:
Vigil Mass
Joyful mysteries
Confession…
Confession, or Reconciliation, is the sacrament in which Catholics cleanse themselves of sins. They do this by confessing to a priest, with a contrite heart, and completing penance given by the priest. It is the most uncomfortable, but one of my favorite of the Holy Sacraments. I view Confession in two ways:
It severs the chains of sin
It’s spiritual house cleaning
Today, I entered the Confessional booth for the first time in over three months. Much longer than I should have been. I walked in with a heaviness in my soul that I noticed, but was use to it. It amazes me how much we can carry around on our shoulders and barely notice. I guess we just get use to it, and move through our days as if it’s not there.
After confessing my sins to the priest, I received my penance. Then, he said those beautiful words: “You are absolved in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” I recited the Act of Contrition, and walked out of the booth. Instantly, I could feel my spirit was cleansed and the chains of sin were broken. By the power of God, I had peace. I took that feeling into the rest of my day. I noticed the difference in my thoughts, words, and actions. I was more inclined to love and compassion in all things that I encountered that day.
You know the saying, “hurt people hurt people?” I think that is similar to what happens to us when we are in a state of sin. If we are in a state of sin, we are more likely to commit more sin. So, in order to be the best Christian that we can be, we must keep our spiritual house clean. And we must do that through the uncomfortable, yet beautiful, sacrament of Confession.
Go to Confession. Do so with a contrite heart. Complete your penance, and continue to fight against sin.
Are you anxious to go? That is understandable. But, the priest has probably heard worse. And above all, God already knows.
Cling to the Lord for strength, and step into that booth.
