Penitential Rites and the Sacrament of Reconciliation

“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.  But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation (Colossians 1:21-22).” Under the heading, “Dressing for the Occasion,” I read the following: “Think some more about that chance to meet with Pope Francis. Would you come dressed in your casual clothes, or would you try to look your best? You would want to make a good impression, wouldn’t you? It is the same with God. Before we begin praying, it’s a good idea to get ourselves, “cleaned up” by repenting of our sins. Remember what Jesus told Peter at the Last Supper: “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me (John 13:8).” Think about how we ask God’s forgiveness at Mass during the Penitential Rite. Think about the grace that is available in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Repentance prepares us to be with the Lord. It cleans us up and helps us find God’s presence.” First of all, let me be clear that I am not picking on the Catholic Church, but using this particular quotation to address probably the biggest problem in Christianity; the total misunderstanding of forgiveness. We don’t need to make a “good impression” with God, especially if making that impression is tied to getting “cleaned up” by repenting of our sins. If this is the case, when on earth would we ever be “clean” enough? If we could clean ourselves up there would have been no need for Jesus Christ to have lived a “clean” life and to die a death for us He didn’t deserve to die. The Bible says that we are “without blemish” in the eyes of God because we have been “reconciled” to God through the death of Jesus Christ. What is another way of saying “without blemish”? It is “clean!” What is another way of saying “reconciled”? It is “forgiven!” When God sees a Christian, He sees us clothed in the clean white robes of Jesus Christ. That is a heck of an “impression” if there ever was one. 

Another thing to focus on is that because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, He brings you to God to “present you holy in his sight.” Again, you are already holy and in God’s presence.  Holy means that you are sanctified and set apart from the world for God’s special purpose. Continuing on, ask yourself a question, “Why would the word of God tell us to “pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17),” if we had to clean up before we could even pray?” Praying without ceasing is another way of saying to “always pray.” Therefore, if you are expected to always pray, that by default means there is no thought given to first cleaning yourself up by repenting of sins. This is because the sin issue is over between us and God. Finally, I don’t even think the author of the commentary realizes that the verse from John 13 is contradictory to the point they are trying to make. The verse clearly shows Jesus saying to Peter, “Unless I wash you…” Jesus did not say, “Unless you clean yourself up …” This was said by Jesus prior to Him going to the cross where He “washed” our sins away. In Christ you are clean! Also, the Bible is clear that, “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant,  that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant (Hebrews 9:15).” If we have to clean ourselves up then we would have no inheritance with Jesus, but because we are clean in Him, we have an eternal inheritance that can never be lost. Part of that inheritance is the fact that we are forgiven of our sins, we don’t ask God to forgive us. We are clean before God because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we don’t try and repent of sins He no longer remembers. We have made a good impression before God because of our faith in Jesus Christ not our works. Remember Saints, we can “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16)” because our sins no longer separate us from God! There is no Rite or Sacrament to engage in that can prepare you to enter into the presence of God. The only preparation necessary is resting in the finished work of Jesus Christ on your behalf. You are dressed for the occasion because “all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:27).” Leave the bondage of religion where it belongs; at the foot of the cross.