What A Miracle Confession Is!

Two amazing things happened that I want to tell you about. These two happenings are connected.

Every Tuesday night at prayer group we begin by stating our mission. Then we say opening prayers together. After we pray, Doc, our group leader, asks if we have any miracles to report. We share things that we call miracles although technically a miracle is a supernatural event. But I’ve come to accept these “not really miracles” miracle stories. Our stories keep us going. We’re such a charismatic group and last night the sparks were really flying. So when Doc asked if we had any miracles to share Maggie jumped right in with her miracle.

To give you some background, before Advent Maggie told us that she hadn’t been to Confession in over 20 years. Then she continued to tell us that she doesn’t have any sins to tell so she doesn’t go to Confession anymore. I didn’t say anything but my mind was already formulating a plan. The Holy Spirit doesn’t leave me alone for a second. Thank God!

So last night Maggie told us her miracle. First she said that she was reading Faith Facts in the bulletin and was interested in a question about Confession. One of us went over to the church and got a bulletin so Maggie could read it out loud.

Question: I’ve heard people say they haven’t been to Confession in 10 to 20 years or more because they have no sins to tell. Is this a weakness of the Sacrament or a human foible? I feel conflicted when I have trouble thinking of sins to confess “as we are all sinners.” Romans 3:23

Answer: It is so easy for us to think of sin in an over-simplistic way. I have heard people say similar things, like I have not sinned. I mean, I haven’t killed anyone. But, as Catholics we know that sin is anything that damages our relationship with God and others…” Maggie told us that after she read this she told Father how long it had been since her last Confession. Father answered with a question and a statement, “Do you know you’re supposed to go to Confession at least once a year? I’ll see you Friday!” She said he looked very serious and did not smile at all. Maggie said she answered, “Okay, I’ll be there.” Then she said this to us, “Remember a while back I told you that I haven’t been to Confession in over 20 years? Then later I see this in the bulletin. Now I’m going to Confession on Friday. What a miracle!”

Now the reason this question was in the bulletin is because I wrote it. When Maggie told us she hadn’t been to Confession in a very long time, I submitted this question to Faith Facts.

I waited and waited all through Advent for it to be posted but instead we got stuff like “Is St. Nicolas real?” “Why do we decorate the Christmas tree?” “What is the origin of Silent Night?” I thought, “Why don’t they just look that stuff up on the internet?” Finally I got impatient and emailed Father. I asked “How far back are we on Faith Facts? I submitted a question on Nov 19. At the risk of sounding disrespectful it appears that Faith Facts has turned into Catholic Trivia. Perhaps my question didn't make the cut. Just wondering. Have a blessed day.” The next day I had an uneasy feeling when I saw that Father had answered my email, “Kathy, I think your expectations for Catholic Faith Facts or understanding of how it works are not the same as mine. Questions are not answered necessarily in the order in which they are received. I consider time in the Liturgical Season too - so as to make the most of the educational opportunity for all parishioners. Your question is not being ignored, just might take a little bit before it is addressed. As for your ‘Catholic Trivia’ claim, that is what Catholic Faith Facts are... elements of our faith both dogmatic and practical to help others appreciate our faith and grow closer to Jesus. Thanks for your questions. God Bless You.”

So I wrote back to him, “Thanks for explaining. Glad to know you have a plan.”

Weeks went by and finally near the beginning of Lent my question was posted on Faith Facts. Here’s Father’s complete answer to my question.

Answer: It is so easy for us to think of sin in an over-simplistic way. I have heard people say similar things, like I have not sinned. I mean, I haven’t killed anyone. But, as Catholics we know that sin is anything that damages our relationship with God and others. Sin is separated into two groups: mortal and venial. Mortal sin cuts off our relationship with God, while venial tarnishes it. The only way to have mortal sins forgiven is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, while venial sins are forgiven when we are sincerely contrite (desire forgiveness) and offer them to God asking forgiveness. If we reflect on the 10 Commandments beyond merely the words written, we realize that they take on different forms. For example, Thou shalt not kill does not necessarily involve a gun or a knife. It involves our words, our angry thoughts, our lack of concern for others. If we really think about it, making a statement like “I don’t have any sins” is really saying “I don’t really want to admit I have sins.” If nothing else, the Church says that Practicing Catholics must fulfill requirements, which include confessing serious sins at least once a year. If we haven’t been doing this, then we do have a sin to confess.

It retrospect it seems more than 2 amazing things happened for Maggie’s Reconciliation with God to occur. A series of God intervention and the necessary element of God timing for this miracle from heaven to happen.

I think it’s so cool that the Holy Spirits worked through me. So awesome that Maggie got her miracle, a real miracle. The Sacrament of Reconciliation, the forgiveness of sins is a supernatural event!

“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