Sin is part of our life. As Christians we are called to avoid it at all times, but none of us can live a sinless life. At least, not on our own accord- with God all things are possible. This is a problem, of course, as sin keeps us from God. It was the first Sin which saw us cast from the Garden. Future sins can likewise divert us away from Him, especially that sin which leads to true death:
13Â I write this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. 14Â And this is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15Â And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him. 16Â If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that. 17Â All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal.
(1 John 5:13-17)
So what do we do about this? We know that God can forgive sins- the Pharisees pointed out as much:
And when he returned to Caperâ²na-um after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2Â And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and he was preaching the word to them. 3Â And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4Â And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay. 5Â And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, âMy son, your sins are forgiven.â 6Â Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7Â âWhy does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?â 8Â And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, âWhy do you question thus in your hearts? 9Â Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, âYour sins are forgiven,â or to say, âRise, take up your pallet and walkâ? 10Â But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sinsââhe said to the paralyticâ 11Â âI say to you, rise, take up your pallet and go home.â 12Â And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, âWe never saw anything like this!â
(Mark 2:1-12)
While Jesus was with us bodily, then forgiveness was easy- we need only ask him for it:
36Â One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Phariseeâs house, and sat at table. 37Â And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was sitting at table in the Phariseeâs house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38Â and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39Â Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, âIf this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.â 40Â And Jesus answering said to him, âSimon, I have something to say to you.â And he answered, âWhat is it, Teacher?â 41Â âA certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42Â When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?â 43Â Simon answered, âThe one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more.â And he said to him, âYou have judged rightly.â 44Â Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, âDo you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45Â You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46Â You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47Â Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.â 48Â And he said to her, âYour sins are forgiven.â 49Â Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, âWho is this, who even forgives sins?â 50Â And he said to the woman, âYour faith has saved you; go in peace.â
(Luke 7:36-50)
However, what happens after he ascended? Fortunately, Jesus left the Apostles the authority to forgive sins, just as He did:
19Â 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, âPeace be with you.â 20Â When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21Â Jesus said to them again, âPeace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.â 22Â And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, âReceive the Holy Spirit. 23Â If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.â
(John 20:19-23)
Look at what Jesus said there. His father sent him to forgive sins. And Jesus sent his Apostles (messengers) just as His Father sent him. So they too were given the charge of the forgiveness of sins. Now, some who claim the faith say that they merely need pray to God for forgiveness. No human “meddlers.” But this isn’t what the Church practiced at all. Here is but one example:
13Â Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14Â Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15Â and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16Â Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.
(James 5:13-16)
Confession is good for the soul. The Church, even in its early history, practiced the sacrament of confession as the means for the forgiving of sins. God works through human beings, and the confession (and forgiveness) of sins is no exception. This Lenten period is an excellent time to wipe your spiritual tablet clean, and start anew by going to confession.