Confession

Jesus institutes the sacrament of Reconciliation

John 20:19-23

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, 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."

From the Exhortation

The Book of Common Prayer, p. 317

Examine your lives and conduct by the rule of God’s commandments, that you may perceive wherein you have offended in what you have done or left undone, whether in thought, word, or deed. And acknowledge your sins before Almighty God, with full purpose of amendment of life, being ready to make restitution for all injuries and wrongs done by you to others; and also being ready to forgive those who have offended you, in order that you yourselves may be forgiven. And then, being reconciled with one another, come to the banquet of that most heavenly Food. And if, in your preparation, you need help and counsel, then go and open your grief to a discreet and understanding priest, and confess your sins, that you may receive the benefit of absolution, and spiritual counsel and advice; to the removal of scruple and doubt, the assurance of pardon, and the strengthening of your faith.

"All may; none must; some should.” This has been the Anglican attitude toward confession since the 1500’s when it became part of the prayer book's rite for the visitation of the sick.

Confession is one of the sacraments that is considered optional by some. Not everyone gets married; not everyone gets ordained or seeks the anointing of the sick. And, so some reason, not everyone needs to make a confession to a priest. "All may, none must, some should” sums this up and might apply to all the other sacraments except Baptism and the Eucharist.*

Some Should 

Who are the some who should? The first of the "shoulds” is someone whose conscience bothers him or her a lot. If someone believes that God has not forgiven some sin, he or she needs to RUN, not walk to confession. John tells us, "If we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) If we think that we are not forgiven we need the assurance of absolution, of pardon, of forgiveness, that comes with sacramental confession. The words of the priest, "All your sins are put away,” can be a great consolation.

Who else should? A person who thinks that he or she has never committed a sin needs the help that confession offers. John also told us, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8) Sacramental confession to a priest offers us the assistance of another person in examining our consciences, and that person can NEVER, EVER, for any reason, EVER reveal a single word that has been said to him in confession.

Confession is useful and important for all Christians who wish to grow in Christ-likeness. Confession helps each of us to examine our conscience and to take stock of our progress in growing into Christ. Confession is an avenue of grace to help us avoid those same sins in the future. The confession which we say in the Eucharist is a "general” confession...”we confess...” Sacramental confession is quite particular. It is about my individual sins, and it is a way for each of us to experience God’s forgiveness in a particular and individual way.

Everyone does need to be baptized and to receive Christ’s body and blood in the Eucharist. Baptism and the Eucharist are called "dominical sacraments" because our Lord--Dominus in Latin-- instituted them. Sacraments are "Outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace.” BCP, page 857. Since as St. Paul says, "all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God,” all will benefit from the grace of sacramental confession.

Confessions are particularly appropriate during the seasons of Advent and Lent. At St. Mary of the Snows Anglican Church confessions with Father Jim may be scheduled at any time by appointment.