The Power of Confession

The season of Lent is a great time to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation (or to use the phrase we grew up with: go to Confession). There is something incredibly powerful in this sacrament, when we audibly speak our failings to the priest, and then, through the power of Christ, the priest offers us absolution.

I remember attending a penance service years ago during Lent. Before receiving the sacrament, there was a period of quiet reflection, as we were encouraged to examined our consciences. One of the priests slowly recited questions for us to contemplate, such as, "Do I think of God during the day?" and, "Do I try to dominate others, using little tricks to have my own way?" and, "Do I accept being the person I am, realizing I am God's creation?"

The questions were grouped into three categories: My life with God, my life with others, and my life with myself.

When I heard these three categories, I was reminded of the three men who had the greatest influence on Western Civilization during the past 100 years: Darwin, Marx, and Freud.

Darwin presented a new view of man’s relationship with his creator. Marx presented a new view of man’s relationship with his fellow man. And Freud presented a new view of man’s relationship with himself.

These new views of mankind’s three most basic relationships became wildly popular during the 20th century. As a result, that century was the most faithless, the most bloody, and the most neurotic in history. Regrettably, our current 21st century appears poised to smash those records.

You see, Darwin, Marx, and Freud based their views on the idea that God—the all-powerful, supernatural Creator described in the Bible—is nothing more than a fairy tale. They each built their philosophies on an atheistic foundation. But if God is real (as approximately 9 out of 10 Americans believe), then each of these men completely ignored the most important aspect of reality.

As they say in the computer world, "GIGO" (Garbage In, Garbage Out). No matter how well-reasoned your analysis might be, if you start with an entirely incorrect assumption, your conclusions are bound to be off track.

(By the way, just to clarify, when I refer to Darwin, I’m not questioning micro-evolution, the observable changes that occur within biological species over time. I do question, however, macro-evolution, the unproven theory that all life on earth arose from non-living matter by purely random, unguided, unplanned, trial-and-error natural processes.)

If it appears that our modern society is unraveling at the seams, well, it is. This is because so many people do not have healthy relationships with God, with their fellow citizens, or even with themselves.

The teachings of Darwin, Marx, and Freud leave little room for repentance and confession. A “survival of the fittest” mentality does not encourage one to admit mistakes. Nor does a ruthless class struggle for political and economic power. Nor does blaming Mom and Dad for all our problems.

Maybe this is why one of the least heard phrases nowadays is, “I’m sorry,” while one of the most popular phrases is, “It’s not my fault.”

Jesus didn’t give ordained priests the power to forgive sins because He wanted the clergy to be important big shots. He did it because he knew when other people repented and audibly confessed their sins to another person, they truly would be healed. Man’s three most basic relationships would be restored. 

If your relationships with God, with your fellow man, and even with yourself aren’t so hot these days, why not try Confession during this Season of Lent? You’ll be pleasantly surprised.