"He straightened up and said to her, “Where are they? Is there no one left to condemn you?” “No one, sir,” she answered. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again.” (John 8:10-11)
The sacrament of confession is certainly the greatest gift of God to the Church and to all who long for salvation. It is in essence the gift of Christ himself to the Church - in his body, blood, soul and divinity - on the Cross and in the Holy Eucharist. Confession is one most essential spiritual asset of the Church, one which should be fully understood, appreciated and utilized to set free from the yokes of sin and sanctify the Church for eternal salvation.
This post is a reflection on the mystery of Mercy. There you will see why and how God gives Mercy. And then you will grab the secret of how to win God's eternal Love for you through your appreciation of Mercy. Follow me - you will know the truth and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).
1. MERCY PROVES LOVE
Mercy is the proof of God's love for the world. Human beings lost the friendship of God when Adam and Eve, the first ancestors, committed the original sin (Genesis 3:1-7), and were expelled from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23).
Mercy is also the guarantee or the backing of God's love for humanity. Thus, through Mercy God promises and ensures that Love will never die (Isaiah 49:16; Jeremiah 31:3). For through Mercy God restores to Love those whom sin put asunder.
Both Love and Mercy are incarnate and active in Jesus Christ who came, by his Incarnation, life, death and resurrection, to save the world and redeem souls. (John 3:14-17).
2. MERCY IS CHRIST
The currency which God used to purchase the salvation of the world has two sides, just like the bank notes and coins we use. Love is the face and Mercy is the back - this currency is Jesus Christ (John 3:16-17). Through the Incarnation (John 1:14) Jesus came as the Light of the world (John 1:4). By his life and teaching he exposed the sins of the world and showed sinners the way to his salvation (John 3:19-21).
Jesus came, not only with the truth but also with the grace (John 1:17), useful to fulfill the commandments of God (Matthew 5:17). And so he reiterated the obligation for people to obey the laws and commands of God in order to receive blessings (Deuteronomy 30:16-18), and live in fellowship with God (John 14:21).
The mission of Christ to the world was to save sinners (Mark 2:17). So he forgave sins (Matthew 9:6), and also gave up his life on the Cross to pay the price for the sins of the world. (Romans 5:8-9). Then he established in the Church the Sacrament of Confession in order to perpetuate the dispensation of Mercy (John 20:21-23) - as the Testament of Love from God.
3. MERCY IS VALUED
 |
MARY MAGDALENA APPRECIATED MERCY AND SAW THE RISEN CHRIST FIRST |
However, Mercy was not instituted in the Sacrament of Confession as a way to perdition, but as a means to salvation. Mercy is, thus, valued for the salvation of souls and must be infinitely appreciated - never to be be abused by anyone in anyway.
This is why Jesus always exhorted those whose sins he remitted to "go and sin no more" (John 8:10 -11). In another case, he added a threat: "stop sinning, or something worse may happen to you" (John 5:14). These warnings that Jesus gave to the sinners whose sins he had forgiven, point clearly to the fact that the mercy of God, even though infinite and eternal, must not be abused or taken for granted.
4. MERCY IS UNPRESUMED
Mercy is only an offer made by God to redeem a sinner, and so it does not operate until the sinner accepts the offer - by the act of repentance and the Sacrament of Confession.
This fact leads to the revelation of a fundamental truth about Mercy - she belongs to God, and may be granted or not granted, as chosen by the Confessor (the priest who hears the confession).
This truth stands out vividly in the biblical instrument of Confession; where it is written: "If you forgive people's sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:23).
5. MERCY IS ABUSED
The abuse of Mercy is conspicuous in the lives and attitudes of many Christians. Here are some of the ways by which people abuse or take the mercy of God for granted.
(1) They despise the priests - who are the confessors - and reject, the Sacrament of Confession. They believe that they can pray to God directly and ask for Mercy. But it should be noted, that Confession is much more than a prayer. It is a Sacrament - that is, an outer sign of an inner grace of Mercy flowing from Christ to the sinner (the confessee), through the priest (the confessor). This mark of arrogance and lack of faith is an affront to Jesus who authorized the priests to forgive sins. (John 20:21-23)
Jesus was touched, and so I am marvelled, by the message of the Roman officer - "Sir, don't trouble yourself. I do not deserve to have you come into my house, neither do I consider myself worthy to come to you in person. Just give the order, and my servant will get well." ( Luke 7:6-7). But some Christians are not willing to accept that the ordained priest is closer to Jesus - the eternal High Priest - than are the ordinary Christians In fact, a key spiritual function of the priests is to hear confessions and forgive sins (John 20:23).
(2) They commit premeditated and deliberate acts of sin, to satisfy their desires - and then go to confession. This is actually putting God to the test - which is very dangerous.
(3) They go to Confession without repentance; that is, without taking a firm decision not to commit the sin again - so they do not receive the grace. That is why they continue to commit the sin after confession.
(4) They show reckless attitudes, and do not avoid occasions, and abstain from things, that may lead them to sin. Such things may be bad friends, drinking parties etc.
(5) They fail to restitute after their confession - of theft, cheating, and assault - for example. To restitute is to repair the damage or injury caused by the sin committed. After confession one should humbly say, "I'm sorry" - to the person offended. Or pay back what you unjustly took from someone. (Luke 19:8).
(6) They fail to collaborate with the grace of Confession - by ignoring the advice given, and the penance prescribed, by the Confessor.
(7) The worst is that some people, having ignored the Sacrament of Confession keep on receiving Holy Communion, knowingly, in the state of unworthiness. But as it is written, the act has grievous consequences. (1Corinthians 11:27-30).
6. MERCY IS RISKY
The abuse of Mercy may turn the Sacrament of Confession into a means of perdition for ungrateful Christians. This is how it happens:
(1) The abuse of Mercy may retard, and totally forfeit, the reconciliation of the sinner with God.
(2) The abusive conception that "God will understand" or "God will always forgive", may cause laxity in the struggle for holiness. When this gets to an extent the conscience then dies and the act of confession becomes a mere formality - and has no more benefit of grace to the confessee.
(3) The constant separation of the sinner from God, by their sins, gives the devil an upper hand or golden opportunity to hack into their spirit and to rule their life, taking them further away from God, to totally and constantly rule them.
(4) This fragile relationship with God also exposes the subject to temptations, unfaithfulness to the Faith, and demonic manipulations which may show up in the form of sickness, trauma, failures and setbacks in life and other forms of instabilities.
(5) Finally, whether pematurely or maturely, the sinner may die in "exile" - a state of grievous sin - and, so, miss the eternal life in heaven.
7. MERCY IS ESTEEMED
 |
YOUR DONATIONS WILL SUSTAIN, IMPROVE AND EXPAND THIS MEDIA PLATFORM |
In order to return and remain in the love of God, one must appreciate Mercy. The right attitude is to take the Sacrament of Confession with faith, truth and humility.
(1) You should prepare well before going to confession. You may start by recalling and meditating on the Ten Commandments of God, and on the Six Commandments of the Church. Then deeply examine your conscience and pray for the Holy Spirit to lead you to do a perfect confession.
(2) Do not despise or doubt the Priest - who is your confessor. He hears your confession and forgives your sins, in personna Christi - that is: for and in the place of Christ (John 20:21)
(3) You should bear in mind that Mercy belongs to God, she is given at his will - so you can not take her for granted. (John 20:23)
(4) You should know that Mercy is not to make sinners comfortable in sin, but to take sinners out of the discomfort of sin. Mercy is not a means to worldly freedom which is destructive and passing away, but that to heavenly freedom which is constructive and everlasting.
(5) Confess your sin from the heart, not from the lips. Repent before the act of your confession i.e. make a firm decision not to sin again. Thus the grace of the Sacrament would validate your decision, and hold you firm on it.
(6) Follow all, and strictly apply, the advice, penance and prayers, given to you by your Confessor.
(8) Do your best to collaborate with the grace of the Sacrament by avoiding all occasions of sin, and by not tempting the tempter. That's why it is written: "Those who think that they are standing firm must be careful not to fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12).
(9) Do the proper restitution for the sins you have committed, where it is possible, and as fully as you can.
(10) Join a prayer group in your Parish, in order to fellowship with other Christians in prayer, teaching, and testimony. As a group, and also on your own, regularly read the Bible and meditate on the Word of God, pray the Holy Rosary, the chaplet of Divine Mercy, the chaplet of Precious Blood, and visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, regularly.
(11) Attend Holy Mass and receive Holy Communion regularly, in order to remain united with Jesus Christ, who is present in the Eucharist to save, sanctify, fortify and bless you, always.
(12) Regularly take the Sacrament of Confession, even when you have not committed mortal sin, to obtain constant spiritual relief and graces from God.
8. MERCY IS SAFETY
The benefits of a true and worthy confession are many and amazing.
(1) Reconciliation and reunion with God, through Jesus Christ.
(2) Healing and restoration of soul, body, spirit and life (Luke 5:18-26).
(3) Relief from the guilt and burden of sin.
(4) The benefit of indulgences - the relief from the punishment for sins committed
(5) The benefits of spiritual advice of the Confessor, to solve spiritual problems and to live a better life.
(6) The benefits of open doors to the spiritual and material blessings of God.
(7) The benefits of extraordinary graces for holiness, salvation and eternal life.
9. CONCLUSION
As the way by which sinners are changed from the enemies to the friends of God, (Romans 5:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19), the Sacrament of Confession is the evaluation of our love for God. The act of confession is the acceptance of the offer of Mercy from God, and grace is obtained as our means to keep the eternal covenant with God. I wish you, who are reading this post, a fruitful Lent and a glorious Easter to come.
Author: Aying Godman, is a Catechist, Evangelist & Blogger of the Roman Church; Founder of CATHOLIC FRONT MEDIA. Email: ayinggodman@gmail.com
Copyright (c) Aying Godman - Catholic Front Media (2021-2022) All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment