GROW IN FAITH 28 – Why We Confess to a Priest

Christ Works Through His Church

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus,
You gave Your Church the power to forgive sins.
Help us understand this gift.
Teach us to trust Your mercy
and the sacraments You have given us.
Amen.

Part One

A Question Many People Ask

Some people wonder:

“Why do we confess to a priest?”
“Why can’t I just tell God directly?”

It is true that we can always speak to God.

We should speak to Him often.

But Jesus did something very specific
after He rose from the dead.

The Bible tells us:

“He breathed on them; and he said to them:
Receive ye the Holy Ghost.
Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them.”

Jesus gave His Apostles
the authority to forgive sins in His name.

This was not their own power.

It was His.

From the beginning,
Christ chose to work through His Church.

Scripture

“Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them.”
(John 20:23)

Think and Discuss

Why do you think Jesus gave this power to the Apostles?

What is different about speaking sins aloud instead of only thinking them?

Why might hearing the words “I absolve you” be important?

How does it help to know forgiveness is certain?

Allow thoughtful answers.

Part Two

Christ Uses Visible Signs

God often uses visible things
to give invisible grace.

Water in Baptism.
Bread and wine in the Eucharist.
Oil in Confirmation.

In Confession,
He uses the voice of the priest.

When we confess to a priest,
we are not confessing to a stranger.

We are confessing to Christ
who acts through His minister.

Hearing the words of absolution
gives peace and certainty.

We do not have to guess
whether we are forgiven.

We hear it clearly.

Confessing aloud also helps us grow.

It requires honesty.
It requires humility.
It requires courage.

These are signs of spiritual maturity.

Guidance for Adults

Explain calmly that the priest does not forgive by his own power.
Christ forgives through the priest.
Confidence in the sacrament grows through steady example.

Part Three

The Gift of the Church

Sin does not only affect our relationship with God.

It also affects the Church.

We belong to one Body.

When we sin,
the whole Body is wounded.

When we are forgiven,
the whole Body rejoices.

The priest represents both Christ
and the Church.

That is why Confession is personal
and communal at the same time.

We are never alone in our repentance.

God meets us through His Church.

This is not a burden.

It is a gift.

It reminds us that faith
is not something we invent for ourselves.

It is something we receive.

And in the sacrament,
we receive mercy with certainty.

Quiet Reflection

Sit quietly for a moment.

Imagine standing before Jesus.

Now imagine hearing clearly:

“Your sins are forgiven.”

Remain in silence together.

Practise This Week

Choose one:

• Learn one Scripture verse about forgiveness.
• Prepare carefully before your next Confession.
• Thank God for giving the Church this sacrament.
• Pray for priests who hear confessions.

Choose one and keep it steady.

Optional Response

Choose one:

Memory
Repeat slowly:
“Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven.”
Say it three times thoughtfully.

Action
Place your hand over your heart and say:
“Lord, I trust Your mercy.”

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus,
Thank You for the gift of Confession.
Help us trust the Church You founded.
Give us courage to be honest
and joy in Your forgiveness.
Amen.