public confession
“Declare your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may find healing.” —James 5:16
The Lord clearly commands us to declare our sins to each other. He also commands us not to even mention shameful things (Eph 5:3, 12) and not to publicize others’ sins (see Mt 18:15). However, when we confess certain sins to others, we have difficulties avoiding giving scandal. For example, if you would confess publicly the sin of adultery, the people hearing this would naturally speculate on the identity of the person with whom you were sexually involved. They might be easily able to guess who your sexual partner was, or they might even implicate an innocent person.
How can we obey Jesus’ command to publicly confess our sins without disobeying other commands of Jesus? St. Paul spoke of forgiving as a representative of the Church (2 Cor 2:10). By confessing our sins to a representative of the Church and of the Lord (see Jn 20:21-23; see also Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1455-1456), we can confess our sins publicly, avoid giving scandal, and receive the special healing which usually accompanies public confession.
Go to the sacrament of Reconciliation to confess your sins. Obey Jesus. Be forgiven and healed.
Prayer: Father, may I treasure Confession so much that I celebrate this sacrament monthly or more frequently.
Promise: “People were bringing their little children to Him to have Him touch them.” —Mk 10:13
Praise: Margaret treasured Confession much more after not having it available during the COVID-19 shutdown.
Reference: (For a related teaching on The Secret of Confession, view, download or order our leaflet or listen to, download or order our CD 44-3 or DVD 44 on our website.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from February 01/2022 through March 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio June 16, 2021"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.