Over the years I have been to several priests and for the most part I have had very good experiences. Yes, there were those few times where a priest would misunderstand the intensity of my sin and make a much bigger deal about it. For example I confessed looking at an inappropriate image online and I was scolded that I should not be wasting all of my time looking at pornography when that was not really the case. But did I leave all upset? No, actually I felt relieved that I knew that I didn’t do all of that.
Confession is a very sensitive sacrament whereby one bears the innermost secrets of their soul. Most priests know how much courage it takes on our part to even go and so they are very compassionate. But my recommendation is if you get a priest who is harsh now and then just remember how harsh Jesus was treated when He went to the cross for sins that He didn’t even commit. And then thank God that Jesus did that so that all we have to do is listen to a few harsh words rather than have to hang on a cross for our salvation… thank you Jesus, teachccd
Beautiful post. An example, in both paragraphs, of turning something negative into something spiritually constructive.
This is an understanding of the sacrament as redeeming in a comprehensive way, and that deserves a separate smilie.
People, please think upon this sacrament as a font of great spiritual benefit and growth, not just a restoration of friendship, but a teaching/learning tool, and a path to ongoing intimacy with God. That said, do avoid confession situations which you have experienced are not helpful in this regard, but then share with our Lord your disappointment and move on. I do not go to any priest that dismisses the importance of the sacrament (luckily, those are rare), nor a priest who is inconsiderate or hasty in the confessional, nor one I have trouble communicating with. I try to take the maximum benefit I can out of each confession opportunity, even if that experience is negative or embarrassing. If all of our confession experiences were perfect, it would mean that all priests themselves were perfect, which is impossible.
I sympathize with, and support, the effort to find good confessors. May I suggest that when you do find one, you keep to him when possible. I will share with you that my best confessors I know for a fact have prayed for me, during the following week and sometimes later. I can feel their prayers, and for that I am also extremely grateful.
