Confession is one of those things that everyone seems to have an opinion about. I don't know how many disenchanted Roman Catholics I've come into contact with who've rebelled against their church of origin because of the confessional. They insist the power of the Reformation was that it took the priest out of the church equation as the middle man...that confession is something that you do directly to Jesus and no one else.
I've heard this sort of thing from non-Catholics as well.
Warren hits an absolute home run with his devotion today, and whether he knows it or not he is very Lutheran in his outlook on this whole matter.
It's typical today for Lutheran communities to do "corporate" confession and forgiveness. I don't know any Lutheran practice today except a few of the ultra-orthodox sort that practice individual confession and forgiveness. Interestingly, Luther wanted this retained for much the same reasons that Warren illucidates. As Warren points out, forgiveness comes from Christ alone, but healing comes through confessing in community. We need the powerful encounter of "coming clean" with another human being (or several as the case may be) to experience "tangible grace," the unconditional acceptance of another who communicates in flesh to us the forebearance and love of God.
We didn't retain this practive and it's our loss, mostly because we no longer know what confession or "coming clean" is anymore.
But I'd like to suggest this morning that along with baptism, communion, the washing of feet, and the act of individual and corporate prayer, that confession is one of the most powerful tools in our tool box for healing and transformation.
Sit and think on this one and let me know what you think. I think that the challenge for many of us is that perhaps there is no one in our lives we'd trust that entirely to keep the ugliness we need to reveal confidential. We are too much known for our capacity for parking lot conversations and NOT holding things in confidence.
Perhaps we need to decide as a community to architect a new reality?
Warren writes:
"Why does God want us to confess to each other? There are at least two powerful reasons. First, it is one thing to read of God's forgiveness in the Bible, but it is quite another thing to hear and feel God's grace and love in the voices of your friends. When we confess, and then are still unconditionally embrace by our small groups, God's love and forgiveness become more tangible."
"Second, confession reduces the power of a secret. The beginning of healing is revealing. There is something cleansing and liberating about coming clearn through confession. It also allows our group to come alongside us to support and pray for us in our struggle. The purpose of confession is not disgrace, but grace. The purpose of confession is not humiliation, but restoration."
May you find the safety in another to "come clean" today, finding grace and restoration for the weariness you carry in your souls."
Praying for the restoration of Christ...
Pastor Nathan
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2 comments:
I think one of the reasons we don't like the idea of confession goes along with what you brought up. Coming clean with God is safe if you can rely on your beliefs about his forgiveness. But depending on another or others to be trustworthy in the confession/forgiveness relationship... that is where most people feel unease. Sometimes, communities can act as judge/jury instead of listeners/forgivers.
Although I hear what you (and Warren) are saying, I cannot quiet my inner voice which squirms at that scenario.
I think I could adapt to the Catholic confessional setting, which is a big step for me. Since my trust issues extend to leaders,too! But Pastor, you are all right with me!
Thanks for making me think.
Anita
You got it Anita. There's to much history in the church with abuse by leadership of private information from lay people. That's part of the issue. The other is just that we're not wired to risk that way. Cynically, most of us aren't that trustworthy ourselves with information when someone comes clean. Gossip is after all a multi-billion dollar a year industry.
But this may be why as a church we need to get our heads wrapped around this. Imagine a community where you're actually SAFE. Period. That doesn't mean you're not going to be challenged in your prejudices, challenged to grow and expand your consciousness and love for others. But when it comes to your brokenness...there's just love and acceptance for you. You can share your burdens and you will be counseled well in the midst of them, but you know you're not going to hear about these things on the evening news the next day.
I think the church needs to become such a place.
And I think that's what a conversation about confession makes us grapple with: just how safe is our community? Just how safe am I with the hurts and struggles of another?
I think these are all questions that we need to wrestle with.
Grace and peace on your day!
pn
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