Dear Friends,
Over the past months, the “Pizza and God Talk” sessions with the youth of St. John’s have led us to consider how we might experience a deeper sense of forgiveness and acceptance from God. One of the disciplines we discussed was “The Reconciliation of a Penitent,” found on page 447 of The Book of Common Prayer. This sacramental rite, sometimes called “Confession,” has not been regularly offered at our parish for many years, if ever. When properly considered and practiced, it allows a Christian to be much more specific about dealing with issues which can produce guilt, shame, or alienation than the general confessions of the church are likely to do. Verbalizing one’s specific sins and shortcomings to God in the presence of a priest; and discussing practical spiritual, emotional, and vocational responses within the pronouncement of forgiveness, can be a powerful way to develop spiritual, emotional, and physical health. Telling God what you are doing in the presence of a priest who is sworn to confidentiality not only gets the secret off your heart, but it also can give you strength to not commit the sin again.
Some of the young people of our parish have asked if I will hear their confessions. If you are a parent and have questions or concerns about this discipline, please call me at 740/215-3900 so that we can set up a time to talk. If you would like to participate in or learn more about this ancient practice of the church, please call me as well. Regular confession can be a wonderful, healing part of your Christian devotion and can make you feel clean and at peace with God.
Sincerely,
Bill+
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