What Confession Does
Every day in practicing the Daily Office, among the readings and prayers is a prayer of confession.
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
When I was young, I was taught that confession was the only way I could get back in God's graces after I committed an act of sin.
It was not until many years later when I was attending a retreat weekend, that it occurred to me that didn't make any sense. I heard that God's grace is a gift that flows freely, without condition, so why did I need to earn back God's grace?
Confession in the Episcopal Church is an act of reconciliation, not so much to regain God's grace, but to realign oneself with God's will and take delight in living with God at the center of our lives.
In seeking God's forgiveness, we acknowledge not just the things we have done that go against God and our neighbors, but those things we failed to do for God and for each other.
If God is eager always to forgive us and accept us back, we might think there is no need for confession on a regular basis. Why bother?
But confession is not for God's benefit. It is for us.
When I pray for forgiveness, I remind myself that I can do better. I can treat people I encounter with respect and seek ways to be helpful to those in need.
Reciting the words help me to focus each day on the important things in my life, and avoid, or at least try to, those things that weigh me down.
If I am truly sorry for having wasted time on those things that don't matter, and I really want to do better, this is the time when I can make that commitment.
And whether I succeed or not, I have set myself right, and that helps me walk in His ways with joy in my heart.
It is a good practice to take a few moments each day to refocus, and for me, that is what confession does.
More to come...