Sin and Forgiveness

There have been many sacraments of forgiveness and reconciliation in the history of the Church.  Private confession evolved during the Middle Ages and became dominant in the modern church.  Baptism was the first sacramental ritual to be clearly associated with the forgiveness of sins.  Those who were baptized believed themselves to be freed from their sinful past and reconciled with God.

In the earliest Church it was common for the community to ostracize those who refused correction by the community and continued to sin.  But they could be brought back once they confessed their sin to the community and repented of it.  St. Clement of Alexandria taught that a fallen Christian could be forgiven after their baptism – but only once, for to fall and repent repeatedly was seen to mock God’s mercy.

By the third century, a general pattern for public reconciliation of known sinners began to appear.  Those who wanted to rejoin the community went to the bishop and confessed their error, but before they could be readmitted to the church they had to publically reform their lives.  They were excluded from receiving the Eucharist until the community and bishop were convinced their change of heart was complete, and that could be a few weeks or a number of years.  In some place penitents were required to stay away from public amusements; in others they were forbidden to hold public office.

In the Fifth Century, Pope Leo the First recognized that not just bishops, but also priests could intercede for the penitent and through God’s mercy offer forgiveness of sins.

Through the centuries the practice has been changed from the public acknowledgement of sin (which could be very humiliating) to private confession with a priest.  Penance has gone from months or years of public reform to private acts.  What hasn’t changed is the need for a contrite heart and true sorrow for our sins to receive forgiveness.

Whether we call it “Confession” or “Penance” or “Reconciliation” the Sacrament restores us to communion with God and our community from which sin separates us.

Our parish community will celebrate Reconciliation this coming Monday, March 31st at 7:00 PM.  As in Lents past, we will have a number of priests available to hear your individual confessions.  If you cannot make it to our service, the Lenten services at Holy Ghost, Assumption and Annunciation are listed in the Bulletin.