This is one of the questions regarding the Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation. Why confess to a priest? Maybe, the better question would be, "Why the Sacrament of Reconciliation?" We, Catholics believe that it is instituted by the Lord Jesus when He commanded the apostles to bind those sins that must be bound and free those sins that must be freed. The apostles also witnessed and experienced the attitude of forgiveness by the Lord Jesus. They also heard all His parables and teachings about forgiveness. The act of forgiveness is constitutive of the ministry of the Lord Jesus.
The rite of the sacrament of reconciliation was not the way it was during the time of the Lord Jesus. He did not hear confessions as priests are doing it today. Even during the time of the apostles, after the Ascension of the Lord, reconciliation was done differently. The early Christians, based on their experience and life of prayer, developed the rite of reconciliation as we have it today. However, the very essence and spirit of the act had been preserved and maintained.
It is obvious during the time of Jesus. He directly forgave those who had sinned against God. During the time of the apostles, as told in Scriptures, they were told to talk it over between them. They should ask another to be a witness if they could not reconcile by themselves. Then, the community was the last resort. It should be resolved in the community. They are encouraged to deal with it in the church. Later, because of some complications and the call for sensitivity, privacy and prudence, reconciliation became more private. The priest, the most trusted and respected leader in the community, became its designated minister. As the community lived its faith, the rite of the sacrament developed and improved. But in spite of these developments and changes, it remained the way the Lord Jesus meant it to be, that is, to give an opportunity for a sinner to reconcile with God, the community, and himself.
But why not directly to God? Why to a priest? Well, why not? Confession to a priest does not eliminate nor disregard direct confession. But, the sacrament provides the human aspect of the need to reconcile with God. The priest represents God and the community. If one is contrite, he will definitely be forgiven by God. That is assured by God. But how can we know when we are forgiven? How can we be helped in understanding our sins and therefore more successful in avoiding them? How can we learn from them so that we will not repeat them anymore? Yes God is there and He will enlighten us. But we must also recognize that He uses ministers, who had been formed and trained in the faith, to concretely address and help sinners. In other words, the minister in the confessional provides for the penitent the words, companionship, and empathy he needs to feel Gods' wonderful love and forgiveness. We need to hear a voice, feel a touch, see compassion, smell understanding, and taste being loved again!
The rite of the sacrament of reconciliation was not the way it was during the time of the Lord Jesus. He did not hear confessions as priests are doing it today. Even during the time of the apostles, after the Ascension of the Lord, reconciliation was done differently. The early Christians, based on their experience and life of prayer, developed the rite of reconciliation as we have it today. However, the very essence and spirit of the act had been preserved and maintained.
It is obvious during the time of Jesus. He directly forgave those who had sinned against God. During the time of the apostles, as told in Scriptures, they were told to talk it over between them. They should ask another to be a witness if they could not reconcile by themselves. Then, the community was the last resort. It should be resolved in the community. They are encouraged to deal with it in the church. Later, because of some complications and the call for sensitivity, privacy and prudence, reconciliation became more private. The priest, the most trusted and respected leader in the community, became its designated minister. As the community lived its faith, the rite of the sacrament developed and improved. But in spite of these developments and changes, it remained the way the Lord Jesus meant it to be, that is, to give an opportunity for a sinner to reconcile with God, the community, and himself.
But why not directly to God? Why to a priest? Well, why not? Confession to a priest does not eliminate nor disregard direct confession. But, the sacrament provides the human aspect of the need to reconcile with God. The priest represents God and the community. If one is contrite, he will definitely be forgiven by God. That is assured by God. But how can we know when we are forgiven? How can we be helped in understanding our sins and therefore more successful in avoiding them? How can we learn from them so that we will not repeat them anymore? Yes God is there and He will enlighten us. But we must also recognize that He uses ministers, who had been formed and trained in the faith, to concretely address and help sinners. In other words, the minister in the confessional provides for the penitent the words, companionship, and empathy he needs to feel Gods' wonderful love and forgiveness. We need to hear a voice, feel a touch, see compassion, smell understanding, and taste being loved again!
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