Sacrament of Reconciliation crucial during Advent

What gift can you bring to the One who has everything? The gift of yourself.

The Church calendar marks the four weeks preceding Christmas as Advent, from the Latin word “Adventus,” or the arrival of something of great importance. While secular preparations may include festive decorations and purchasing gifts for friends and neighbors, the One for whom the world longs desires only one thing: a loving, cleansed soul in which the infant King may reside.

Partaking in the Sacrament of Reconciliation is an integral part of Advent and Christmas preparations, say priests of the Diocese of Camden. As the old maxim says, confession is, indeed, good for the soul.

Internal Housekeeping

“I love the Sacrament of Reconciliation,” said Father Stephen Rapposelli, pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Turnersville. “I have always had a good experience with the Sacrament, and I want other people to have a good experience, too.”

To prepare, he recommends reading the infancy narratives in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew.

“Whatever we put into our spiritual preparation for Advent will help us to experience a deeper joy on Christmas Day and the days that follow,” he said. 

Though especially welcome during the Advent season, “Confession is for any time of year,” said Father Michael Goyette, pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Collings Lakes. “Sin is our biggest obstacle, but God gave us Confession to remove the obstacles. If we are attached to our sins, we have limited availability to Him. We need to empty the bucket of our worldly deeds to give room for Christ.”

Father Robert Matysik, in residence at the Parish of Saint Monica Parish, Atlantic City, and priest chaplain for multiple healthcare centers in the Diocese, said, “We need to do spiritual preparation to welcome Jesus into our hearts.” He uses an analogy that usually elicits chuckles in the congregation to which he preaches.

“No one jumps up and down when they think about going to the dentist, but just think about the great feeling at the end of the appointment when your teeth are clean,” Father Matysik said. “It feels so good. It’s the same thing with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Your soul is clean, and you can make room for the Savior.”

Repentance and Conversion

The Gospel of Saint Matthew proclaimed on the Second Sunday of Advent tells of John the Baptist’s cry to “prepare the way of the Lord. … Make straight his pathways.” That inner preparation, one’s Advent confession, need not be one’s only visit per year to the healing powers of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Father Goyette said.

“Canon law requires us to receive the Eucharist and go to Confession once a year, but most people receive the Eucharist every time they go to Mass and go to Confession once a month,” he said. “The only two Sacraments God gives us repeatedly are Confession and the Eucharist. God works through those Sacraments.”

“Ultimately, Advent is a time for a more intense conversation with God,” added Father Rapposelli, suggesting questions for self-examination before receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. “Where are we with the promised return of Jesus, either at the end of time or at the end of our lives? Where are our loved ones in this journey?” he asked. “Are we laying up treasure in heaven? Do we make room for the things that matter to God? Are we cooperating with God’s grace to make us holy as He is Holy? Are we bearing good fruit for God with our gifts and talents? 

“Advent is a great opportunity to reflect on these realities and bring our side of it to the Living God,” Father Rapposelli concluded. “It does mean giving time to God and shutting out distractions where the world is dictating what our life should be.” 

Confession and Renewal

A sincere confession during the Advent season is a gift that benefits both the giver and the recipient, Father Matysik said.

“Christmas means gifts. The best gift you can give to Jesus is to take care of your spiritual life,” he said. “Make a place in your heart and life to take time for Jesus. That is also one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.”

The examination of conscience must delve deep, for some sins may escape an initial glance.

“Human nature ignores the bad things we do, and pride elevates the good qualities and decreases the bad in your own mind,” Father Goyette said. “Most of us are committing mortal sins on a regular basis, such as going to Mass on the weekends but missing Mass on holy days. … Pride said these sins are not mortal. If we desire to be perfect, we need Confession. It keeps us humble.”

Added Father Rapposelli, “Our sinfulness can be a source of sadness and despair; to not take ownership for our selfishness is also illusory. Our sins, and tendency to choose sin, can also be our springboard to lay claim to the salvation wrought on the Cross by Jesus.”

Just as in the story of the Prodigal Son, the priest said, a penitent’s sincere confession brings the Creator joy. “Our repentance and request for mercy has to be music to our heavenly Father’s ears.”