Why Confess My Sins to a Priest?

Summary

In this video, Fr. Mike Schmitz addresses the common question of why Catholics confess their sins to a priest instead of going directly to God. He explains that while direct repentance to God is essential, priests serve as mediators of God's forgiveness, continuing a role established in the Old Testament and reaffirmed by Jesus in the New Testament. Fr. Mike highlights the power of confession to reconcile individuals not only with God but with the community, emphasizing that it is a place of victory over sin, not shame. Ultimately, confession is a sacrament designed for healing and spiritual renewal.

Takeaways

• 😀 The importance of going directly to God for confession is emphasized, but Catholics also go through the priest due to the role of mediation.
• 😀 Jesus Christ is the ultimate mediator, but priests act as mediators who help extend Christ's forgiveness to those who repent.
• 😀 The Old Testament priests were mediators between God and man, and New Testament priests continue this role with more power, especially in offering forgiveness of sins.
• 😀 Jesus grants the Apostles the authority to forgive sins, making priestly confession a means of reconciliation with God and the community.
• 😀 James 5 mentions confessing sins to one another, and while this can refer to Christians confiding in each other, the context also points to priests forgiving sins.
• 😀 Priests act as instruments of God's forgiveness, not because they have inherent power, but because Jesus desires to use them in this way.
• 😀 Just as people are healed through God's use of human hands, the forgiveness of sins is mediated through priests as a tool of God's grace.
• 😀 Confession is about reconciliation, not just with God, but also with the community, as sin divides both.
• 😀 Baptism, like confession, is always done through someone else, but many resist going to confession due to the vulnerability of admitting sins.
• 😀 Confession is not a place of embarrassment or shame, but a place of victory where the priest declares God's forgiveness over the penitent.
• 😀 Fr. Mike encourages individuals to go to confession, reassuring that it is a powerful experience of forgiveness and transformation.

Q & A

Why do Catholics confess their sins to a priest instead of going directly to God?

Catholics confess their sins to a priest because the priest serves as an intermediary, continuing the role of priests in the Old Testament, and because Jesus Christ gave the Apostles the authority to forgive sins. While Catholics can and should go directly to God, the priestly role facilitates reconciliation not only with God but also with the community.

What is the biblical basis for the practice of confessing sins to a priest?

The biblical basis is found in John 20, where Jesus gives the Apostles the authority to forgive sins, saying, 'Those whose sins you forgive are forgiven.' Additionally, James 5 speaks about sending for priests to pray over the sick, and if they have any sins, they will be forgiven.

Is it necessary to confess sins to a priest, or can one just confess directly to God?

While it is important to confess sins directly to God, the Catholic faith teaches that confession to a priest is a way to receive God’s forgiveness through the ministry given to the Apostles and their successors, the priests. This practice is part of the process of reconciliation with both God and the community.

How does the role of a priest in confession compare to their role in the Old Testament?

In the Old Testament, priests acted as intermediaries between God and people, offering sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins. In the New Testament, priests continue this role but with more power, as they can offer the forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus Christ, who made forgiveness possible through His sacrifice.

What does the phrase 'Those whose sins you forgive are forgiven them' signify?

This phrase from John 20 signifies that Jesus gave the Apostles, and by extension the priests, the authority to forgive sins. It emphasizes the priest’s role in mediating God’s forgiveness, ensuring that those who repent are restored to grace.

Why does Fr. Mike mention baptism in the context of confession?

Fr. Mike highlights baptism to show that no one baptizes themselves—just as baptism requires another person to receive you into the community, confession also involves an intermediary priest. This comparison helps to explain why it is not just a matter of going directly to God but involves being reconciled within the community of faith.

What is the significance of the word 'therefore' in James 5 regarding confession?

The word 'therefore' in James 5 connects the previous idea of priests having the authority to forgive sins to the instruction to 'confess your sins to one another.' This connection underlines the idea that confession, particularly to a priest, is linked to forgiveness and reconciliation.

Why do some people resist going to confession, according to Fr. Mike?

Fr. Mike suggests that people may resist confession because it requires admitting faults and facing possible embarrassment or shame. People might feel uncomfortable confessing their sins to another person, even though confession is meant to be a place of healing, not shame.

How does Fr. Mike describe the role of confession in terms of victory over sin?

Fr. Mike describes confession not as a place of defeat, but as a place of victory where one admits their sins and experiences God’s forgiveness. It is an opportunity to be freed from sin and receive God’s grace through the priestly absolution.

What final advice does Fr. Mike offer to those considering confession?

Fr. Mike encourages people to go to confession without hesitation. He emphasizes that while it's important to go directly to God in prayer, the sacrament of confession is essential for receiving God’s forgiveness and being reconciled to both God and the community.