S H R I V E N: The Most Beautiful Paradox
By Mary Grace Dostalik
The verb “to shrive” refers to presenting oneself to a priest for confession and penance.
It was customary in medieval times for soldiers facing an upcoming battle to seek out a priest to be shriven. They would confess their sins and be absolved, so if they perished, they would die in a state of grace.
Their confession of weaknesses precluded their strength.
Consider 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Christ says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”
In light of this, Paul explains that he is content with weakness for the sake of Christ. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, our fragility gives us strength. Our willingness to expose our ugly sins to Christ, renews us.
Do you like going to confession?
Do you feel renewed by it? Do you feel stronger?
I don’t always.
Yet, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the sacrament of love and of mercy! The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “it is called the sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles: ‘Be reconciled to God.’”
But sometimes, I don’t feel loved after confession. I don’t feel fulfilled. I don’t feel clean.
But that doesn’t matter. Confession is not about a FEELING.
Our faith is not based on feelings.
Faith requires complete trust in something. Faith is not about how we feel. It’s about believing in the absolute truth of God’s mercy, especially when you don’t feel like it.
Confession is necessary. Just as soldiers had to confess their sins before battle, we must confess our sins before going to battle in a world where immorality is normalized.
Christ died for us so that we might live.
In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we die to ourselves so that we might live in Him.
Three Tips for a Good Confession:
Pray. Try spending 15 minutes in quiet prayer before and after confession.
Make an Examination of Conscience. Take your time! Give yourself time to carefully reflect on your sins.
Resolve. Take your Act of Contrition seriously. Try writing down your specific resolutions and ask God for the strength to avoid sin.
