The efficacy of confession.

[Bookcat]

Jesus didn’t state that he was giving his disciples that power to forgive mortal sins because they wouldn’t be forgiven if they came to him directly. When Jesus died, the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom. This veil closed off the holy of holies which was where the tabernacle was placed. As a result of the tearing of the veil, the tabernacle was now open for all to see. Only the priest was allowed to offer atonement for sins while the veil was in place. Now the tabernacle is open for us all to adore and worship. Why then does the catholic church still insist on confession?

Jesus founded the Church and established the Sacrament of Confession. He gave the Church the authority to bind and loose - and to govern and sanctify. He gave his Church the Holy Spirit and the authority to understand the Sacraments and to teach what that such is yes a divine requirement for post baptismal mortal sins (Christians are to really remain in baptismal grace…but Jesus knew of our human weakness so gave us this other Sacrament to restore us if we fall and repent or assist us against sin).

His Church - with the authority given by Jesus - teaches and explains what is normative here.

Such is the way Jesus gave especially for those who have fallen away from their Baptism … such is the way that one comes to him who has passed through the veil - and have ones sins washed by his blood. The same blood that made them once a new creation in Baptism. Thanks be to God that yes we have access to the Lamb!

 

[fromckcc]

Jesus founded the Church and established the Sacrament of Confession. He gave the Church the authority to bind and loose - and to govern and sanctify. He gave his Church the Holy Spirit and the authority to understand the Sacraments and to teach what that such is yes a divine requirement for post baptismal mortal sins (Christians are to really remain in baptismal grace…but Jesus knew of our human weakness so gave us this other Sacrament to restore us if we fall and repent or assist us against sin).

His Church - with the authority given by Jesus - teaches and explains what is normative here.

Such is the way Jesus gave especially for those who have fallen away from their Baptism … such is the way that one comes to him who has passed through the veil - and have ones sins washed by his blood. The same blood that made them once a new creation in Baptism. Thanks be to God that yes we have access to the Lamb!

Since the church has the ability to bind and loose, if the church states that polygamy or polyandry are valid forms of marriage will participants be accepted into heaven?

 

[Bookcat]

Since the church has the ability to bind and loose, if the church states that polygamy or polyandry are valid forms of marriage will participants be accepted into heaven?

No.

The Church does not have the authority to change the nature of the Sacraments.

The Church cannot say - hey you can baptize with oil. Or that two men can marry etc.

Or to teach that Jesus is not God!

Authority to bind and loose is not about doing anything one wants to do (not that the Church would want to do any of that).

The Church faithfully hands down and guards what has been given her by Christ.

 

[peter26]

I think if you don’t appreciate the value of confession, you are probably not taking advantage of the sacrament often enough. Ask yourself when you last went to confession. If it was more than a month ago, there’s your problem (mortal sins or no).

 

[fromckcc]

Still doesn’t answer the question of if it the only way to be forgiven of mortal sins. The veil was torn from top to bottom. We can now approach God freely.

 

[Bookcat]

Still doesn’t answer the question of if it the only way to be forgiven of mortal sins. The veil was torn from top to bottom. We can now approach God freely.

Yes one can freely now approach God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ and in the Sacrament of Baptism (once) and the Sacrament of Confession. Yes now we can approach freely …and be washed of ones mortal sins! That is the way given by Jesus in his death on the cross (which is by the way when the veil was torn) and his resurrection.

 

[Bookcat]

Still doesn’t answer the question of if it the only way to be forgiven of mortal sins. The veil was torn from top to bottom. We can now approach God freely.

See above post I just posted.

Also:

The Church does not Teach that Confession is the only way one can be forgiven mortal sins. One is forgiven in Baptism. Then if one falls one can be forgiven even before confession via a kind of confession of desire in an act of perfect contrition where Jesus already restores one to life. One is still to confess the mortal sins (and before Communion) …but one is already forgiven if one is sorry out of love of God above all. And yes God can forgive those who do not yet know of Baptism or Confession…via a kind of desire and his work outside of the Sacraments.

---

The way sins are forgiven is that one repents…believes the Gospel and is baptized into Christ. All ones sins are washed away and one is a new creation. One is (presuming the normal way) in his Catholic Church and then lives as a Christian - living in Christ…avoiding mortal sin and growing in holiness. One is in true life.

What of those who through no fault of theirs never hear of baptism or of Jesus? Can Jesus save them? Yes in ways known to him it is possible.

What if one commits a mortal sin? Goes against their Baptism…

Jesus gave us the Sacrament of Confession to restore the person to life.

Is it possible for a person to be restored by him before getting to confession? Yes. Where there is possible an act of perfect contrition.

1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition…also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible. scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a4.htm#1452

Is it possible for a person who was baptized but who is not in full communion with the Church and say does not know that Jesus gave us Confession to be forgiven of a mortal sin? Yes it is possible. Their intent would be to do what Jesus asks…and if they knew he wanted them to be in full communion with the Church and go to confession - they would.

God has given us the normative way - Baptism…Confession…etc . But God is not bound by the Sacraments - Jesus can work in other ways besides those he willed and gave us.

And even say in the last moments of ones life - it is still possible for God to reach one in ways we do not know or see…though we are not to presume on such but turn now to Jesus…

 

[Used2beSherryG]

Still doesn’t answer the question of if it the only way to be forgiven of mortal sins. The veil was torn from top to bottom. We can now approach God freely.

The veil was torn top to bottom. This signifies the new covenant through the sacrifice of Christ’s own body, blood soul and divinity and the establishment of this covenant is through the church that Jesus established and which includes the sacraments, all the sacraments. The sacrament of penance/reconciliation was established by Jesus himself as he gave his apostles the grace they needed to hear confessions and forgive sins in His name.

 

[fromckcc]

The veil was torn top to bottom. This signifies the new covenant through the sacrifice of Christ’s own body, blood soul and divinity and the establishment of this covenant is through the church that Jesus established and which includes the sacraments, all the sacraments. The sacrament of penance/reconciliation was established by Jesus himself as he gave his apostles the grace they needed to hear confessions and forgive sins in His name.

That doesn’t answer my question.

 

[Bookcat]

That doesn’t answer my question.

Yes one can freely now approach God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ and in the Sacrament of Baptism (once) and the Sacrament of Confession. Yes now we can approach freely …and be washed of ones mortal sins! That is the way given by Jesus in his death on the cross (which is by the way when the veil was torn) and his resurrection.

---

The Church does not Teach that Confession is the only way one can be forgiven mortal sins. One is forgiven in Baptism. Then if one falls one can be forgiven even before confession via a kind of confession of desire in an act of perfect contrition where Jesus already restores one to life. One is still to confess the mortal sins (and before Communion) …but one is already forgiven if one is sorry out of love of God above all. And yes God can forgive those who do not yet know of Baptism or Confession…via a kind of desire and his work outside of the Sacraments.

---

The way sins are forgiven is that one repents…believes the Gospel and is baptized into Christ. All ones sins are washed away and one is a new creation. One is (presuming the normal way) in his Catholic Church and then lives as a Christian - living in Christ…avoiding mortal sin and growing in holiness. One is in true life.

What of those who through no fault of theirs never hear of baptism or of Jesus? Can Jesus save them? Yes in ways known to him it is possible.

What if one commits a mortal sin? Goes against their Baptism…

Jesus gave us the Sacrament of Confession to restore the person to life.

Is it possible for a person to be restored by him before getting to confession? Yes. Where there is possible an act of perfect contrition.

1452 When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition…also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible. scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c2a4.htm#1452

Is it possible for a person who was baptized but who is not in full communion with the Church and say does not know that Jesus gave us Confession to be forgiven of a mortal sin? Yes it is possible. Their intent would be to do what Jesus asks…and if they knew he wanted them to be in full communion with the Church and go to confession - they would.

God has given us the normative way - Baptism…Confession…etc . But God is not bound by the Sacraments - Jesus can work in other ways besides those he willed and gave us.

And even say in the last moments of ones life - it is still possible for God to reach one in ways we do not know or see…though we are not to presume on such but turn now to Jesus…

 

[fromckcc]

That is exactly what the Jews believed. They needed an intermediary, a physical priest. But Pal said we have a new High Priest, who intercedes day and night. This priest is Jesus, who’s death tore the veil of the temple and revealed the holy of holies which previously only the priest was allowed to see. This was where he went to offer sacrifices for the people of Israel. Now it is open for all to see and commune with.

 

[Used2beSherryG]

That is exactly what the Jews believed. They needed an intermediary, a physical priest. But Pal said we have a new High Priest, who intercedes day and night. This priest is Jesus, who’s death tore the veil of the temple and revealed the holy of holies which previously only the priest was allowed to see. This was where he went to offer sacrifices for the people of Israel. Now it is open for all to see and commune with.

The NEW covenant was established by Jesus Christ. He did not abolish the old covenant but fulfilled it. All of Jesus teachings, including the establishment of the sacraments for our benefit until he comes again, are efficacious for us. The teachings of Jesus Christ are primary. The letters of the Apostles were written to help those in all the cities where the Gospel had been preached to come to an understanding about what Jesus did for us. Citing one sentence or phrase from one writing is hardly demonstrating the full teaching by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[fromckcc]

The NEW covenant was established by Jesus Christ. He did not abolish the old covenant but fulfilled it. All of Jesus teachings, including the establishment of the sacraments for our benefit until he comes again, are efficacious for us. The teachings of Jesus Christ are primary. The letters of the Apostles were written to help those in all the cities where the Gospel had been preached to come to an understanding about what Jesus did for us. Citing one sentence or phrase from one writing is hardly demonstrating the full teaching by any stretch of the imagination.

Exactly. The law states that only the High priest could attempt to atone for our sins before the holy of holies. We have a new high priest, and his name is Jesus. Please , explain to me the reason for the tearing of the veil.

 

[Bookcat]

Please , explain to me the reason for the tearing of the veil.

What happened there in the temple behind the veil? The blood of the sacrifices were sprinkled…such was of the lambs …animals offered.

The tearing of the veil can be said to be a sign of the end of such animal sacrifices.

When did it tear from top to bottom? At the moment the Son of God - Jesus of Nazareth - who is the Lamb of God - died on the cross. When* his sacrifice *happened.

The tearing of the veil can be said to be* the ending of those sacrifices* of the Old Testament -which pointed forward to the true Lamb of God. Who would take away sins and give life.

Now it is his blood - the blood of the True Lamb that we go to with confidence and faith.

It is his blood that washes away ones sins in Baptism.

It is *his blood that washes away the sins Christians *who have sinned after baptism - in the Sacrament of Confession.

Jesus is the High Priest…and the Sacrifice.

No more lambs offered…but the LAMB.

 

[Bookcat]

Can God forgive my sins without me going to confession…of course! I have often told God in my prayers about how sorry I am. .

Correct. For venial sins are forgiven in many ways - such as prayer.

However we should note for readers that if one should commit a mortal sin - one will need also to go to confession…even if Jesus has forgiven one “before” confession…one still is to go to confession due to the seriousness of the sin that has go against the great gift of life he has given us in faith and baptism. The perfect contrition (and thus forgiveness of mortal sin) includes that resolution to go to confession.

 

[Bookcat]

beauty of confession

Yes even when one is confessing venial sins. It is such a beautiful and grace filled Sacrament! As one who came into full Communion with the Church so many years ago - I can say that Confession is one of the greatest gifts Jesus gave us - and have loved Confession from the very beginning until today! I remember in my first reading what the Church teaches about this Sacrament…so many many years ago…and how I longed for it …how I could not wait to be able to receive it …I discovered its reality in the pages a book …discovering this great wonder and its meaning…and then encountered the joy of the Sacrament - the reality of hearing Jesus and his Church absolve me…

One encounters Jesus and the Holy Spirit and the Merciful Father.

One is filled with true life!

 

[brad90956]

Also, hearing the words “I absolve you of your sins” has brought me to tears more than once.

Exactly…me too. In my opinion, I am a pretty tough guy. But when I go into the confessional it’s a totally different story. I’d say I have cried in my last 8 out of 10 confessions, even when I was not confessing mortal sins. There is something so special and humbling about it. I can let down my guard, be my true self and tell God exactly what is in my heart. It also helps me a great deal to confess to a priest because it helps me avoid repeating sins and avoiding the near occasion of sin.

It is a really special sacrament and I thank Jesus everyday for giving us such a great gift.

 

[Maddie26]

You seem to assume that because the veil is torn and we have a new High Priest that we no longer need any sort of priesthood.

The Jews did not confess their sins to a Priest so that can’t have anything to do with the veil in the Temple. The important part is that the Jews (and the whole of mankind in the OT but I mention them specifically as they were the closest nation to God) did not have any hope of going to heaven. The tearing of the veil symbolises the opening of heaven to mankind, not the elimination of the priesthood. We have direct access to God… through the Sacraments. The Jews prayed directly to God, not through an intermediary. How we address God has not changed, Protestant theology aside. In the tearing of the veil we see that man no longer needs to make animal sacrifices to God, since the Lamb of God has been sacrificed once, for all.

There is an old saying that the hand teaches the heart, meaning that by doing physical actions we learn to align our hearts to our wills.

It sounds like you are coming from a very Protestant perspective. Protestant Christianity seems to me to be a purely intellectual exercise- helpful, but not whole. Catholicism is about aligning the whole person to God, not just the brain but the mind, the heart, the body. We use physical realities to showcase spiritual realities. It may be possible to go to Heaven without being baptised in water, without the Eucharist, without confession, without reading the Bible is you don’t have access to any of those things. Since you clearly do, why would you spurn them?

Confession gives a physical reality, not just to the forgiveness, but to your contrition. You can be very sorry for upsetting your mother, but saying your apology out loud feels very natural, doesn’t it? And you might know she would forgive you, but you like to hear her say it, don’t you? God is greater than your mother in this example but you are the same so He has given us the Sacrament of Confession to help us.