Plan Your Confession

We’ve been mentioning it every Sunday since the beginning of Lent and trying to encourage all to receive the beautiful sacrament of Penance before Easter. It is getting closer and closer, and we really need to plan ahead, so whatever might be keeping you away from the grace, let’s kick it away!

I can’t speak for every priest, but I know personally that I have never felt judged by a priest in confession, and I hope I have not given that impression to others, but I have felt and hopefully have helped others to feel challenged. We priests are not sent to be Judge and Jury, but to be Christ Himself, always ready to forgive.

I’m amazed at how sometimes we feel that we can’t go to confession, because we have not figured out how to overcome all of our sins. I heard a priest say that “Yoda was completely wrong: ‘there is only try; no do.’” All we can ever do is try at anything, and some attempts will be successful and others not so much, but each and every attempt is noticed by the Spirit, and I think that effort activates the Spirit’s gifts in us even more to help us grow.

When we go to confession, remember there is no need to blame others or to justify your sins or make them seem small. You don’t need to give details or history to your sins, unless the priest asks you for more information to help him to know the gravity of the sin. But, it is important that you are prepared before your time with the priest. Examine your conscience before coming to the priest. Just like a successful team, they are successful with preparation and practice. Good confession happens when people are prepared.

In conclusion, I would ask that if you desire to receive this Sacrament, that you do so this coming week when Lenten Penance Services will take place at all Johnson County parishes. We have 14 priests coming here on Tuesday night at 7:00PM. In addition, this Wednesday we will have three priests here at 12:00 NOON, and three here in the evening at 6:00PM. Please do NOT wait until Holy Week. We will NOT hear confessions at 12:00 NOON on Wednesday, April 17, but only at 6:00PM that evening. Nobody receives special graces by receiving the sacrament so close to Easter, and if you can’t go a week without committing a mortal sin, then it probably is not mortal.

Like with all things in life, I remember what my dad used to say, “If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail”. Let’s prepare for a joyful Easter with the grace of forgiveness and the Sacrament of Penance.

God bless,

Fr. Jerry