“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.” Romans 8:18
My first confession in 20 years after having come back to my faith stands out in my soul and eternity. I went behind the screen for fear of being judged and being known. I was embarrassed. I knelt and said “ forgive me father, for I have sinned…it’s been many decades but I want to make this my first true confession.” The priest asked if I would come to face to face so Jesus could help me walk through it as a friend and not a judge. He asked me to raise my eyes and look at him. The warmth was immeasurable. After his absolution he said, “welcome home, today you made God very happy. The Father is proud to call you His child.”
Later, I would do the Catholic thing, going to another church when I had embarrassing sins. God told me how prideful I was trying to hide from Him. He told me time and again to not be afraid to raise my eyes to His. God put on my heart to find a chief confessor that I’d go to every time. God said I must look Him in the eyes, not with pride or fear but to see His love. This priest could read souls and called me out, he gave me comfort and consolation. Looking the father, and the Father in the eyes never was confessions more consoling or fulfilling.
No sin or past struggles in your life compare to the glories the soul finds in the Sacrament of Mercy (Confession). Shame is a part of sin, fear and punishment come with that territory. As they say, we make the bed in which we must sleep. But, in God, through the priest, we don’t find anger or condemnation. We look into the eyes of the Father and find love and mercy.
“The person of the priest is, for Me, only a screen.” Divine Mercy in My Soul # 1725
Reflect upon your Confession experiences. Do any stand out in a particular way? Think further upon the great graces of God’s Divine Mercy that have been bestowed upon you.
““Let the greatest sinners place their trust in My mercy. They have the right before others to trust in the abyss of My mercy. My daughter, write about My mercy towards tormented souls. Souls that make an appeal to My mercy delight Me. To such souls I grant even more graces than they ask.” Divine Mercy in My Soul # 1146