Christ, the physician of our soul and body, instituted the sacraments because the new life that he gives us in the sacraments of Christian initiation can be weakened and even lost because of sin. Therefore, Christ willed that his Church should continue his work of healing and salvation by means of the sacrament of Confession.
Confession goes by many names. It is called the sacrament of Penance, the sacrament of Reconciliation, the sacrament of Forgiveness, and the sacrament of Confession.
Since the new life of grace received in Baptism does not abolish the weakness of human nature nor the inclination to sin, Christ instituted this sacrament for the conversion of the baptized who have been separated from him by sin.
The risen Lord instituted this sacrament on the evening of Easter when he showed himself to his apostles and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:22-23).
The call of Christ to conversion continues to resound in the lives of the baptized. Conversion is a continuing obligation for the whole Church. She is holy but includes sinners in her midst.
One difficulty is the loss of a sense of sin. We all think we are pretty good people and see little need to confess any sins. But this a way to actually work on you spiritual life, instead of just your physical life. If you go to confession once ever year or so, you are probably not praying much and consider your salvation to be a very small part of your life. If you go to confession every couple of weeks, you are probably praying more and even growing in your faith.
Fr. Keyes is at the Newman center every day except Tuesday (his day off) and Saturday (Cathedral duties.)
Come anytime for Confession.
Confession goes by many names. It is called the sacrament of Penance, the sacrament of Reconciliation, the sacrament of Forgiveness, and the sacrament of Confession.
Since the new life of grace received in Baptism does not abolish the weakness of human nature nor the inclination to sin, Christ instituted this sacrament for the conversion of the baptized who have been separated from him by sin.
The risen Lord instituted this sacrament on the evening of Easter when he showed himself to his apostles and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:22-23).
The call of Christ to conversion continues to resound in the lives of the baptized. Conversion is a continuing obligation for the whole Church. She is holy but includes sinners in her midst.
One difficulty is the loss of a sense of sin. We all think we are pretty good people and see little need to confess any sins. But this a way to actually work on you spiritual life, instead of just your physical life. If you go to confession once ever year or so, you are probably not praying much and consider your salvation to be a very small part of your life. If you go to confession every couple of weeks, you are probably praying more and even growing in your faith.
Fr. Keyes is at the Newman center every day except Tuesday (his day off) and Saturday (Cathedral duties.)
Come anytime for Confession.
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