Why do we need Confession?

I understand people’s difficulty with Confession. Even during Jesus’ time people marveled at that: “When the crowds saw [Jesus forgive sins] they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to human beings” (Mt. 9:8). In very general terms, Confession allows us to experience divine mercy in a sacramental encounter (rather than it simply be a “head trip”) where the priest not only stands in the person of Christ, but also represents the community as no sin is merely private and without larger ramifications.

But, digger deeper, it’s about our relationship with Christ and understanding that Christ identifies with His Church and ministers to us through His Church. When we listen to His Church, we are listening to Him (cf. Lk. 10:16).

The Church acknowledges elements of sanctification outside of the visible Church, and God judges each of us based on our fidelity to whatever truth we have been given. But we do believe that the fullness of truth resides in Jesus Christ, the one Savior of the World (cf. Acts 4:12). To the extent anybody is saved, it is because of Christ, even if the person is unaware of that fact. Christ founded one Church, and it is often said that a Christian who studies history will generally find his or her way into the Catholic Church. Also, I would add that it is a spiritually perilous approach to say you believe in Jesus Christ but then refuse to follow Him (cf. Lk. 6:46-49).

There is certainly room to go deeper on this issue — and when discussing Confession with someone who has hesitations, it may be helpful to ascertain where one’s “real” question lies. Often it is not an intellectual issue so much as a will or “sin” issue. And certainly one may have been scandalized by the poor teaching and/or poor example of believers, especially Church leaders. But it comes down to your response to Our Lord’s personal question to each one of us: “Who do you say that I am?”

Courtesy of Leon Suprenant