“Confession is an act of honesty and courage – an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God” – Pope John Paul II
In modern Protestantism, the art of confession has been lost. Many are so scared of embracing a practice from Catholicism that they disregard some of its richest traditions. And while we need no mediator to hear our failings but Christ, the Church could benefit greatly from an active release of daily sins. There is something incredibly freeing in unleashing the hold we have on our own faults. When we speak to others with this unburdened spirit, it helps to disarm and uphold both our humanity and the Spirit of God. Instead, our sin has been hid from the community which surrounds us for fear of judgment and perhaps a invading truth that we in fact have nothing together. When Paul speaks of boasting in our weaknesses (2Cor. 12:9), it is because in the backwards kingdom of God, it is our great failings that make for a great savior.
This of course is not to be done from a spirit of “woe is me”. Quite the opposite. It is our weakness that makes us strong because we have a divine confidence that they do not define us in any regard. Truth be told, we do not connect with humanity by our strengths, efforts, or victories, but it is in our failings, shortcomings, and broken egos which fuse us to the core of mankind. All my friends are broken and I love them for it. No one wants to be friends with perfect people. These are the ones who lack self-awareness and are to be pitied. How different the Church would look if we lived our private lives in public. The saint should be the most confident and open being in culture.
Today, step out in courage. Let the mask of self-promotion fall and simply be.
Matt simon blog 