Have you ever been wracked with guilt over something you did, thought that God could not possibly forgive you, and carried the painful guilt so deeply within that you couldn’t let it go? Or do you happen to be an overscrupulous person who is frequently convinced that you have committed grievous sins but aren’t sure how to make amends (or whether you’ve actually sinned at all)? Or have you felt like your own self-reflection and brief recalling of sins before bed or at Mass is not enough to keep you spiritually honest? If you have answered yes to any of the previous questions, then you may find the Reconciliation of a Penitent helpful.
Many Episcopalians (and non-Episcopalians!) are surprised to learn that auricular confession has always been a part of the Anglican tradition. It has not always been made self-evident within the various versions of the Book of Common Prayer, but our current American Book of Common Prayer of 1979 has made this sacrament abundantly explicit. Unlike its predecessor prayer books, the 1979 book has an entire pastoral office for the Reconciliation of a Penitent, including two forms that may be used.
The well-known Anglican adage holds true: “all may, some should, none must.” The Sacrament of Reconciliation is not required by the Episcopal Church. In other words, we don’t say that you have committed yet another sin by not availing yourselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. But that doesn’t mean that this particular sacrament would not be of great value to all Episcopalians and Anglicans. Some should. Perhaps, many should.
The purpose of this week’s message is not to explain the theology of the Rite for Reconciliation within the prayer book. That will occur on Sunday after Sung Mass, when I will teach an adult formation class on the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the Episcopal Church. In my opinion, this sacrament is not practiced widely enough in the Anglican Communion nor is it taught about frequently enough. I have found that fulsome teaching about this sacrament of healing can soften people’s various resistances to it.
Some of this resistance is held by those who have experienced private confession within another denomination, specifically the Roman Catholic Church. If this is you, I invite you to attend Sunday’s adult formation class to learn how Anglicans view the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I believe we Anglicans have a beautiful way of looking at it. Or some people may be resisting private confession because of deep post-Reformation suspicions. Why do we need to confess our sins before a priest (representing the Church) if we can do it on our own, keeping it solely between us and God? It’s a good question, and I have a response to it. But that will wait until Sunday!
In short, suffice it to say that the season of Lent is an appropriate time to make a confession. The Sacrament of Reconciliation, unlike confessions at Mass and on our own in the privacy of our homes, keeps us spiritually honest in a completely different way. Private confession has always been a vital part of the Anglo-Catholic witness in the Church. At Good Shepherd private confession can take place any time at the request of a penitent. Should you wish to make a confession this Lent, please contact me to schedule an appointment. The seal of the confessional is morally absolute. The confessional should be the safest place on earth, where trust is at its deepest level. I hope to see you on Sunday for Mass and conversation afterwards!
Yours in Christ,
Father Kyle