Episode Transcript  

One

Today, we meditate on the Sacrament of Reconciliation 

Let me begin with a true account of an exorcism that took place in Earling, Iowa, in 1928. After all the psychological and psychiatric testing was completed, it was determined there indeed was a case of demonic possession, and an Exorcist was called in. Men of the parish were asked to assist because when the exorcism began, the possessed person became very violent and had to be restrained. However, the devil took a new strategy and fought back in a very surprising way, by revealing the deepest darkest sins of those present in the room, making them so embarrassed they fled for shame. After many instances of this, one person blurted out to the demon, “Why do you say nothing of the Priest?” To which the devil responded, “What has been confessed, I do not know.”

You see, Scripture calls the devil the Accuser, “Who accuses us day and night before the throne of God.” However, Satan apparently only knows the sins we have not confessed. What has been confessed is out of the devil’s reach, and he cannot use it against us. The Exorcist made a practice of Regular Confession; therefore, the devil had no ammunition to use against him. But when we don’t go to confession, the guilt piles up and the devil uses it against us.

The devil accuses us to discourage us. He uses discouragement to drive us away from God. Confession dispels the dark cloud of discouragement. It removes the sin and guilt. It gives us a clean start, and it brings the light, grace, and healing of Christ. 

Two

Jesus gave us the Sacrament of Confession 

Only God forgives sin. So, why do we go to a priest to have our sins forgiven? Jesus set it up this way. How do we know? In John 20:19-23, in the evening of Easter Sunday, Jesus came to the Apostles, locked in fear in the upper room. He said to them, " Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." 

The Catechism (1442) teaches us that Jesus entrusted the power to forgive sins to His Apostles. They, in turn, hand this sacred power on to their successors, the bishops and priests who are their co-workers. However, Jesus did not give the Apostles the power to read souls. Therefore, they will need to hear the sins confessed before they can determine whether to forgive or to retain.

So, why do we go to a priest for Confession? Jesus set it up this way. 

Three

Mortal and Venial Sin 

The Bible tells us in 1 John 5:16-17 that there are two categories of Sin, mortal and venial. All sin harms our relationship with God, it harms others, and it is self-destructive. But mortal sin kills our relationship with God by turning away from him and rejecting divine his life within in through grave sin. 

The Catechism (1857) tells us that for a sin to be mortal, three conditions must together be met:  The action of the sin is Grave Matter. You must have sufficient knowledge; you must know that what you’re doing is a serious violation of God’s law. Sufficient freedom, meaning deliberate consent of the will.

(CCC 1861) Mortal sin is a radical possibility of human freedom. It results in the loss of charity and the state of grace. If it is not redeemed by repentance and God’s forgiveness, it causes self-exclusion from Christ’s kingdom and the eternal death of hell.

Four

What is Grave Matter?

(CCC 1858) Grave matter means that it is a violation of one of the Ten Commandments. If you want to know what sins are grave, then I suggest you read part three of the Catechism on the Ten Commandments. You will be very surprised. To name just a few that have a particular relevance to our society: Missing Mass on Sunday is a direct violation of the third commandment. Drunkenness and illegal drug use is a grave sin. Sins against the good of Marriage and Sexuality like fornication, divorce, adultery, contraception, direct sterilization for contraceptive purposes, IVF, reproductive techniques that separate the creation of new life from the marital act, pornography, or homosexual acts.

Mortal sin causes spiritual death. Only God could give us His divine life through the sacrament of Baptism. After Baptism, if we destroy His life within, then only He can restore it. He has chosen to do so in another sacrament: Reconciliation.

Five

Regular or Monthly Confession 

(CCC 1458) Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. Indeed, the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ, and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father's mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful.

Two things the greatest master of the spiritual life, John of the Cross, would say never ever miss: daily meditation with a resolution and a daily examination of conscience. 

How do we do a daily Examination of Conscience? Keep it simple! Look back on the past 24 hours. What did I do that was wrong? Where did I fail to do what was right? Then ask what vice was at the root, pride, envy, anger, lust? Name it. Write it down. This is the way to know yourself and to prepare for Confession. Our Lady asked us to go to confession once a month. So commit to a time and place to go and build it into your routine.  

Suggested Resolutions:

Choose one resolution for today to help you grow closer to God, or create your own. Here are some ideas to inspire you. 

• Find time in your schedule to go to confession and commit to that time.

• Practice writing down your examination of conscience so that you’re prepared when you go into confession.

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