Go and Sin No More: Set Free by Penance, the Sacrament of Freedom

By Deacon Keith Fournier
2/8/2013
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

I want to share my own story of rediscovering the Sacrament of Freedom with my readers

When a Catholic comes from Confession, he does truly, by definition, step out again into that dawn of his own beginning and look with new eyes across the world to a Crystal Palace that is really of crystal. He believes that in that dim corner, and in that brief ritual, God has really remade him in His own image.He is now a new experiment of the Creator. He is as much a new experiment as he was when he was really only five years old. He stands, as I said, in the white light at the worthy beginning of the life of a man. The accumulations of time can no longer terrify. He may be grey and gouty; but he is only five minutes old. (GK Chesterton)

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CHESAPEAKE, VA (Catholic Online) - The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that "Through the sacraments of Christian initiation, man receives the new life of Christ. Now we carry this life "in earthen vessels," and it remains "hidden with Christ in God." We are still in our "earthly tent," subject to suffering, illness, and death. This new life as a child of God can be weakened and even lost by sin".

"The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick." (CCC #1420, 1421)

The sections which follow provide instruction on the origins, purpose, efficacy and gift of this Sacrament, replete with references to the Bible, the Tradition of the Church and pastoral insights. Penance is a Sacrament of healing because it sets us free from the wounds of sin and makes us new, fresh. It is the continual invitation to begin again. .

In the last chapter of his Autobiography, entitled "The Man with a Golden Key", GK Chesterton wrote:"When people ask me, or indeed anybody else, "Why did you join the Church of Rome?" the first essential answer, if it is partly an elliptical answer, is, "To get rid of my sins."

He continues, "For there is no other religious system that does really profess to get rid of people's sins. It is confirmed by the logic - which to many seems startling - by which the Church deduces that sin confessed and adequately repented is actually abolished; and that the sinner does really begin again as if he had never sinned."

"When a Catholic comes from Confession, he does truly, by definition, step out again into that dawn of his own beginning and look with new eyes across the world to a Crystal Palace that is really of crystal. He believes that in that dim corner, and in that brief ritual, God has really remade him in His own image."

"He is now a new experiment of the Creator. He is as much a new experiment as he was when he was really only five years old. He stands, as I said, in the white light at the worthy beginning of the life of a man. The accumulations of time can no longer terrify. He may be grey and gouty; but he is only five minutes old."

How well I understand the insight expressed by this giant of our history. Chesterton was a convert to the Catholic Church. I am a revert, a term now often used to refer to people who returned, often on a circuitous route, to the Church into which we were Baptized.

For me, this Sacrament of freedom was instrumental in my return to the Church as a young man. As we approach the beginning of the 40 Days of penitence and conversion called Lent, I want to share my own story of rediscovering the Sacrament of Freedom with my readers.

I still remember the day as if it were yesterday. The sun drenched retreat grounds stretched out before my young eyes. I was eighteen years old, a new "revert" to the Catholic faith and living in Florida. I had registered to attend a spiritual retreat featuring a Benedictine Monk speaking on how to develop an intimate relationship with the Lord through prayer. I was ready.

Though I never "officially" left the Catholic Church, I had certainly lost my commitment to the faith and the Church into which I had been baptized. My return to a personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ- and my knowing, mature decision to embrace the full teaching of the Catholic Church is a type of conversion story. It is also a journey being played out in the lives of thousands in our day. It was my own experience of a New Evangelization because it was an encounter with the One who makes us new creations. (2 Cor. 5:17)

The ancient but ever new Catholic Church is coming alive with the sons and daughters who are either rediscovering her beauty and depth or discovering both for the first time. Her sons and daughters coming home are founding new movements, ecclesial communities, ministries and works. Everything old is new again! An experience of a return home, a personal conversion to the Church often characterizes the journey home of so many Catholic Christians. I am one.

I had wandered far from the faith of my childhood during my adolescence and my teenage years. I was caught up, as were so many of my generation, in a passionate search for truth and meaning. Through what many would have seen as a misspent youth I was actually reaching out to answer the existential questions that were burning in my soul. I was sincere in my search for truth and the Lord knew it. The search eventually led me back to the One whom Himself claimed to be the Truth.

At the encouragement of a Jewish friend, who had become a Christian while ...

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1 - 4 of 4 Comments

lily
3 months ago
I so enjoyed reading about your journey. I, too, did my first confession at a monastery. I was very ashamed and fearful, as I have never done it before.. But I clearly felt the Lord calling me to do it, and I could not resist.. Since then, I have become a Catholic and I love everything about it.
Larry
3 months ago
In today's world, we have a couple of concepts people readily accept that fit well with the Confession, Sacrament of Reconciliation. We talk about fail often, fail fast - to try your business model or approach and learn from what didn't work and find out what will work. We also talk about getting grounded, to get back in sync with whatever you sync with. Some use meditation, some use good habits, others use some rituals they use to sync better. The idea here is to recognize that 'mistakes' are normal that mess up our system so we need to do some things to find what works and to get back in the grove with the energy we use or need to sync with.

I read about a very successful salesman in New Jersy in a book by Malcom Gladwell, Blink is what I think was his book (he's written several). I spoke with him some years ago and asked him what he does to be so successful. He explained many things I'm familiar with that work for success - contacts with customers, sending notes, remembering important dates for the customer, getting to know details of a customer's life, etc. The last thing he explained (that was not in the book) was that he gets to work early to get ready for the day - make sure he has all the things he needs for the day (this is common). 10 minutes just before he goes to the salesfloor or his desk on the showroom floor, he 'meditates' and tries to get rid of the negative things that have been affecting him and he repeats a phrase he believes in "Every customer is a potential sale". I asked him if he believes this, why does he have to repeat it every day and don't all salespeople believe this. He said most don't believe it since they talk about customers in categoriews of non-buyers, why they won't buy today and this works against any belief about selling. He also said he knows that in a normal day at work and at home, he attracts or collects negative energy and attitudes which work against his success so his 10 minute preparation help him get rid of the negative from yesterday for today's sales. He is cleaning himself (attitudes, energy, how he starts) to be ready the best he can. I also know that many successful people review what they are grateful for just before bed or during the day to reset attitudes and put things into perspective.

Confession can do lots of these things - face our sins (mistakes), admit them and take responsibility for them (more than think of them), ask for forgiveness (clean our energy/ spirit/soul) learn from our sins (mistakes/weaknesses) and get the power to be in the grace of God (back in sync, get rid of negative attitudes and energy).

I remember some years ago Catholics come Home had an ad that talked about going to confession to get your soul almost baptism clean, just like you had it at a clean slate (like rebooting, resetting our system). That concept impressed me. Would that we would talk about the Sacraments and their power and use in terms that people understand today.
John
3 months ago
I just returned to the Catholic Church after being away for 37 years. I was a cradle Catholic but at the age of 22 and a life that was upside down and knowing I need God in my life I found Him in a non denominational church and it was there I came to really know Jesus Christ as my Savior.I spent the next 37 years faithfully serving our Lord in the Protestant Church teaching,as a deacon then an elder, worship leader and a licensed minister.But about 9 months ago I started to investigate the Catholic faith and as I studied I discovered The teachings I thought were wrong I discovered they were true. I had come to a real crisis of faith and wasn't sure what I would do.God seemed to put people in my path who help reassure me I was on the right path, finally I made a appointment with a local Priest and met with him. As the conversation with him progressed and things were winding down he offered to hear my confession.I said will you hear it now and he did and my tears flowed as I confessed sins that I carried since a child. What a relief it was, my heart was free.It was one of the best days of my life. I am now attending mass and receiving communion.Now I am praying that the Lord will draw my wife back to the Church also.
Harald
3 months ago
I know how he Feelt, I to was there, I lift as a Teen, Seen the World, was Looking for samething? I already had, but did not know! He was with me all of my Days, But my Eyes and Heart were not Open. I was looking in all the wrong Placies, even the wrong Churchies! HO! Yes I was steal going to Church almost every Sunday and ontime. But Same thing was missing. One day the Lord sent a Friend to me, I really did not know, only from coming to were I work, to Pick-Up items he needed for Home and Family. He ask me one day if I was a Christion? He said the way I akted made him ask, and also am I Catholic, I said Yes! But have not been back seens 1980" . will we have a Small Church in Town. We Love To Have You Back. I said OK." The Lord will come for us when he knows we are ready. " I was ready! I to was set Free After my Frist Confession, somany years after my lost Confession. Yes I to am in my 60's , and so many of us Fall. But the Lord is always with us His Hand is out there we just have to put ours out and Hold on. GOD Bless you All Brothers and Sisters. We need each other and Prays the LORD. It is never to Late to be Saved. I Will make a Copy of this Articol and Post in the Church Buliton Board, I Hope that it may Help the Young and Older: You need not Look any fearther thin The House of the LORD; Hi is there with Open Armes; and Most of ALL " HE LOVES YOU"

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