The Mystery of Repentance #
Throughout our lives, we all commit transgressions. Sometimes our conscience immediately convicts us of wrongdoing; other times, we come to realize only later that our actions were incompatible with the Christian way of life. These transgressions are called sins. Sins burden the soul in this life and, in the life to come, can hinder it from entering eternal life. Yet as long as our earthly life continues, there is always the possibility of starting anew. For this, God has established the Mystery of Confession.
Repentance is one of the seven sacraments of the Church, in which a person, in the presence of a priest, confesses his sins to God.
One may feel remorse privately, but for the forgiveness of sins, the presence of a priest is necessary. To the highest ranks of the clergy—bishops and priests—God has given the authority to remit sins:
“Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” (John 20:23)
One should not be embarrassed by the presence of a priest during confession. The priest prays together with the penitent for the forgiveness of sins and strives to understand how best to help the person amend his life and not return to sin. He is merely a witness, who also knows the feeling of repentance. Church canons strictly command the priest to keep the seal of confession inviolate.
Reflecting on the priest’s role in the sacrament of confession, Bishop Mikhail (Semyonov) observed that very often the entire preparatory work a penitent performs before confession is less spiritually fruitful than the internal struggle that takes place before the altar of the Lord, in the presence of His minister. To reveal to another person the wounds of one’s conscience—the full shame of sin—requires tremendous effort of will. And it is precisely this spiritual strain, this “crucifying of the conscience by the will,” that is meant to bring about the decisive inner change that makes a person worthy of grace. For this reason, it is not enough merely to recognize one’s sins before one’s own conscience; they must also be confessed to God in the presence of a priest.
The Time for Confession
Confession is typically sought during a fasting period. Fasting itself inclines the soul toward repentance and spiritual labor. During the longer fasts, priests schedule organized confessions for their spiritual children. Outside of these periods, confession is still possible, though arranged personally with the priest.
What Is Needed for Confession
The most important requirement for confession is the sincere inner disposition of the one repenting. Confession is often followed by Communion, for which one prepares through fasting and prayer over the course of a week. This week-long preparation helps to properly dispose the soul not only for Communion but also for confession.