Reconciliation

Guilt is a big deal for most of us. Have you ever felt guilty and wanted to know that you are forgiven?

When we feel guilty it can be hard to move on from the past. The sacrament of Reconciliation (or confession as it is commonly known) is a gift, given to us by Jesus Christ, to assure us of God’s forgiveness, to help us move on with our lives, seeking to love God more fully and our neighbour as ourselves.

When we make a confession to a priest, we speak about things we have done wrong, and we are given advice and a penance (a short act of thanksgiving for the grace received in the sacrament). At the end of confession the priest pronounces absolution, a declaration in the name of Jesus himself that our sins are truly and entirely forgiven.

Often people are nervous about making their confession. The sacrament of reconciliation is a place of healing, not judgement. The priest may never speak about what you have said in the sacrament – even to you!

Others may worry that confession to a priest is not very Anglican, but if something is good and promotes spiritual and emotional wholeness and healing, and deeper faith and love in the Lord Jesus, it should be embraced, even if it doesn’t feel Anglican. If you are worried about this rest assured that confession to a priest has been part of the Church of England for centuries and can even be found in the Book of Common Prayer!

Barnaby, our parish priest, offers this sacrament to any who might be interested in receiving it.

If you would like to make an appointment to make your confession, talk about how this sacrament might help you, or how to go about making your confession, please get in touch with Barnaby on 01483 222 573