Why must we confess this way?

[ieva]

I wanted to ask, why during confession it is needed to say the sins to the priest? Where in the bible is it said, that we have to say it to someone loud? Why it’s not enough to think about it, honestly regret for doing it and pray for forgiveness? Usually the ones we regret most, are the hardest to tell loud. Why can’t we say the sins we have done and we regret for, for example, in the evening pray? Why is someone in between is needed? Where was it written that we have to do it this way? Not all Christians do that, as far as I know Lutherans does not.
And in addition to this I want to ask why different branches of Christianity has different ceremonies. Where are they all defined?

Thank you for a comprehensive answer.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

I have a question too. Why does it matter so much to you that you have to hear yourself actually admit the sins you have committed against an all-loving God?
Why should it be so easy for you. It certainly wasn’t easy for Him as He showed His love for us on Good Friday. If He was so willing to undergo all that He suffered in order to forgive our sins, the very least we can do it HUMBLY acknowledge them out loud before Him in the person of His priest. The more difficult it is for us to humble ourselves, the more necessary it is! It’s our pride that makes it difficult. But it is our grateful love for Him than can make it easy!

Think about all the He endured that you might acknowledge your sins before the priest and THEN receive His absolution. By the time Jesus was hanging on the cross, He was terribly weak. His up-stretched arms were squeezing His lungs. So He had to continually push down on His crucified feet to raise He body in order to fill His lungs with air. After maintaining this for three hours, He got to the point where He had no strength left and He suffocated. In dying He gave us His life. The more you reflect on His love for you, the less anything else can ever matter so much.

I will send you privately a fuller refection on His passion. You are in my prayers.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.