CASH IN YOUR TICKET TO FREEDOM!!

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Millions of recovering alcoholics swear by it. Former addicts to drugs. gambling, or sex promote it. Most psychologists and counselors encourage it --- that is, the 12-Step Program for recovery. through these steps my alcoholic cousin has seen his life change from one of despair and anxiety to hope and stability. After a conversation with him I was intrigued with Step #5: the difficult but crucial step of admitting all your addictive-wrongdoing to both God and another person. If followed, an amazing result is promised:

Provided you hold back nothing, your sense of relief will mount from minute to minute. The dammed-up emotions of years break out of their confinement, and miraculously vanish as soon as they are exposed. As the pain subsides, a healing tranquility takes its place. ... Many an A.A., once agnostic or atheistic, tells us that it was during this stage of Step Five that he first actually felt the presence of God. And even those who had faith already often became conscious of God as they never were before. (12 Steps and 12 Traditions Page 62)

Long before A.A. wrote Step # 5, Catholic and Orthodox believers have followed the wisdom behind this step for centuries! It’s called the sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession. Although some of the ‘externals" have changed over time, its core hasn’t changed precisely because it is the will of the incarnate Son of God, Jesus Christ. After his death and resurrection Jesus empowered his apostles and told them, "Whose sins you forgive. they are forgiven. Whose sins you retain, they are retained" (John 20:23). Just as God concretized his love for us in Christ, and just as Christ concretized his love for us in his passion, so too Christ concretizes his redemption for us in and through the sacraments. As we honestly confess our offenses, Christ, through the instrumentality of his priest, gladly forgives these offenses. Yes, never doubt that Jesus loves to forgive us, no matter how ugly or numerous our sins have been. Moreover, he lavishly gives us his healing graces through this sacrament, which is why it is a.k.a. "a sacrament of healing."

Unfortunately, many Catholics miss or resist this inner healing. Sometimes this is due to a lack of understanding, but sometimes it is due to rationalization (excuses) and resistance (willful pride). As a result these persons don’t experience the profound freedom of Jesus, and they go through life burdened by unconfessed sin and it’s accompanying guilt (see Psalm 32). Thomas Merton captured this reality well: "We are not at peace with others because we are not at peace with ourselves; we are not at peace with ourselves because we are not at peace with God,"

However, many Catholics have experienced the profound peace and freedom flowing from this sacrament. One priest recently told me, "I don’t know which I enjoy more: receiving Reconciliation or administering it as a priest!" For myself it took me awhile to work through my own "confessional hang-ups." They were a combination of both misunderstanding and prideful resistance. However, I now make this marvelous encounter every month, not only to experience forgiveness, but also to receive grace to overcome sin and become more Christ-Like. That’s why Mother Teresa went to Confession on a weekly basis. No wonder that she radiated God’s love so clearly.

As with all the sacraments, realize that this one too requires a step of faith. The words of Christ, the encouragement of the Church, and the example of others can only urge us forward. We ourselves need to exercise courage and make that step of faith. So do yourself a HUGE favor and don’t ignore the free ticket it’s a guaranteed winner. Step out in faith, cash it in, and receive the immense treasure of freedom in Jesus.