Confession and God’s Mercy

I recently went to the Sacrament of Reconciliation (aka Confession), accompanied by my two shadows.  I was so grateful when M decided to speak quietly while we were in the Church, and even happier when he played quietly while we were in the Confessional.

As we prepared to head in to the Confessional, I was explaining to M that, “Mommy has to go tell God she was sorry for making God sad.”  Then, I faltered because I am at a loss as to how to explain to a preschooler the concept of God’s mercy.  So, I feebly threw out, “and then God will tell Mommy He loves her and she needs to do better next time.”

After Confession, in which we were accompanied by M’s imaginary friends and a couple of his real toys, we moved over to the Adoration chapel for me to do my penance.  And, again, I was at a loss as to how to explain the concept of a penance – mainly, I was at a loss as to how to explain it in a way that would make my toddler want to go to Confession someday.

You see, I know and believe wholeheartedly in God’s grace and mercy.  I believe that, if you are truly contrite for your sins, God will recognize and know that, and He will bestow His mercy on a person.

At times, my soul yearns for Confession, even when I don’t want to go speak my sins aloud to the Priest.  I know it is my soul yearning for that Sacrament because of the importance the mission becomes in my life, and the way in which I feel as I make my way to the church.

I think my spirit recognizes it is going to receive God’s mercy.  When my soul yearns for Confession, I feel giddy as I approach the church.

All too often, people approach Confession with a reluctant attitude, and think that all we are doing is confessing our sins out loud, and we are being judged.  But, that’s not it at all!

When we are going to Confession, we are being told, through the priest, by God that He loves us, and He forgives us our trespasses!

God extends His mercy, grace, and love and my soul knows it has received God’s mercy.  There is no doubt in my soul, when I have walked out of a thorough Confession – a weight feels lifted!

I want my children to feel that feeling of giddiness when they approach Confession, and the lighter than air feeling in their souls when they walk out of Confession.  I want everyone to feel such peace!

I love one of the several quotes attributed to Pope Francis which states, “God never tired of forgiving us, it is we who tire of asking for forgiveness.”  He has also said:

I hope my passion for this Sacrament, coupled with their shadowing me to mine, instills a love of this Sacrament upon my children as they get older!  I hope they will see the good it does, and desire the same feeling of joy and light-heartedness for themselves.

Shamelessly took the feature image from this man’s website. I was just looking for the image, but he has a fantastic article about Confession, too!