PURGE THE INIQUITY | KAIROS GLOBAL | JUNE 2021

Author: Anil Israel

Intro: Through Sacred Scripture, the Catechism and wisdom from the saints, Anil Israel ponders on the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

In the Gospel of Matthew, John the Baptist begins his ministry with these words: Turn away from your sins (Matthew 3:2). Interestingly in the same gospel, Jesus too begins his public ministry with the very same words: Turn away from your sins (Matthew 4:17). The opening proclamation usually attempts to convey the key message within the first few words itself, thereby signifying the degree of attention it demands from its listeners.  

Pope Pius XII famously once said that ‘the evil of this civilisation’ – our civilisation – is ‘the loss of the sense of sin.’ Recognition of the enemy is an undeniable pre-requisite, to wage war against it. If we are not aware of our sins, we will not be bothered to overcome them. So, it becomes essential to have a proper understanding of sin.

Sin is before all else an offense against God, a rupture of communion with him (CCC 1440). Sin is an abuse of freedom that God gives to created persons (CCC 387). It is disobedience towards God and lack of trust in his goodness (CCC 397). Holy Scripture teaches, all wrongdoing is sin (1 John 5:17) and all sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4). The essence of sin is our refusal of divine sonship (Scott Hahn).

Sin separates us from God, in a sense we are no longer in harmony with him. Our wounded human nature is weakened and inclined to evil. The righteous falls seven times (Proverbs 24:16). All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Fortunately, the sacrament of Confession comes to our rescue. Being a sacrament of healing, Confession reconciles us with God and restores the lost harmony. It strengthens us back to a life filled with grace. 

The wages of sin is death (Rm.6:23). But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (Matthew 18:18). If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven (John 20:23).

The apparitions at Lourdes continue to resound: ‘Penance, Penance, Penance!’ Three conditions are necessary for penance: contrition, which is sorrow for sin, together with a purpose of amendment; confession of sins without any omission; and satisfaction by means of good works (St. Thomas Aquinas). 

Contrition is sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again (CCC 1451). True sorrow for sin, comes with the realisation of having offended God, who alone is good (cf. Mark 10:18) and deserving of our love. 

The grace of repentance is given to everyone. You give repentance for sins (Wisdom 12:19). To those who repent he grants a return (Sirach 17:24). Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you (James 4:8). Return to me and I will return to you (Malachi 3:7). When a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is lawful and right, he shall save his life (Ezekiel 18:27).

Repentance leads to confession. There are many such examples in the Holy Bible. The cupbearer serving Pharaoh in Egypt, forgot the good done to him by Joseph in prison. After two year when Pharaoh had a dream, the cupbearer remembered Joseph and admitted: I must confess today that I have done wrong (Genesis 41:9). The prodigal son came to senses (Luke 15:17) and resolved to confess: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you (Luke 15:21). Even Peter after having denied Christ thrice, went out and wept bitterly (Luke 22:62) – shedding tears of repentance.

Regular examination of conscience is a powerful tool to help one prepare well for a good confession. We can make a habit of going through the day and looking at where we cooperated with grace and where we failed to do so. Looking at what went well helps us to be aware of God’s grace working in our life. Acknowledging where we stumbled, helps us become conscious of our weaknesses and prompts us to strive to do better thereafter.

Like David, we too can choose to pray every day: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! (Psalm 51:2) Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (Psalm 51:7) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).

Tobit remembered God (Tobit 1:12) and strived to live a God-pleasing life. Joseph too when seduced to temptation chose to flee: How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God? (Genesis 39:9). Jesus too taught us to pray: lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:13). Heaven is full of sinners – repented sinners – who lived exemplary lives, teaching us to get up every time we fall and to run to the fountain of sanctifying grace.

Sacred scripture exhorts us to confess our sins (James 5:16) and further assures that confessed sins are not kept recorded but instantly forgotten. I will forgive their sins and will no longer remember their wrongs (Hebrews 8:12). Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool (Isaiah 1:18). If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn.1:9).

‘Confession heals, confession justifies, confession grants pardon of sin. All hope consists in confession. In confession there is a chance for mercy. Believe it firmly. Do not doubt, do not hesitate, never despair of the mercy of God. Hope and have confidence in confession’ (St. Isidore of Seville). ‘The confessional is not a torture chamber, but the place in which the Lord's mercy motivates us to do better’ (Pope Francis).

Therefore, wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil (Isaiah 1:16). Let us remind ourselves to regularly put on sackcloth and ashes (Matthew 11:21) (symbol of repentance) and approach the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) – the mercy seat (Exodus 25:17-22) and resolve to purge the evil (Deuteronomy 17:7) – to purge the iniquity and rid ourselves of all wickedness, so as to be transformed into his spotless bride – holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:27).

Anil Israel lives in Mannheim, Germany, with his wife Sunitha and their 5 children. He is the current National Formation Coordinator of JY Germany.