The Practice of Confession Question

About the practice of #Confession Question: My coworker was arguing with me about this belief that she had yesterday and I didn’t know the answer so I just listened and I said “I disagree”. The question was “why do you Orthodox confess your sin to a priest? They are just as sinful as we are. We should just confess our sin to God because he is the one who forgives our sin not them.” I would like to know the answer so I can back our religion up in these discussions. God bless🙏 Answer: May the peace of Christ be with you, my child. It is commendable that you stand firm in your faith, even when challenged. Let us delve into the wisdom of the Church regarding Confession: Your coworker raises a point many ponder: why confess to a priest, a fellow human susceptible to sin? The answer, revealed through Scripture and the Holy Tradition, lies in understanding the priest's role, not as a judge, but as a physician of souls. Firstly, nowhere in Scripture do we find a command to confess our sins solely to God in private. On the contrary, when Christ breathed the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, He granted them the authority to forgive sins: "Receive ye the Holy Spirit: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." (John 20:22-23) This authority, passed down through the Apostles to bishops and priests, forms the foundation of the sacrament of Confession. Secondly, confessing to a priest, while seemingly daunting, offers numerous spiritual benefits: Objectivity and Guidance: We often struggle to discern the gravity of our sins or rationalize them. A priest, trained in spiritual warfare and discerning the passions, offers an objective perspective, helping us identify and uproot even deeply hidden sins. Healing through Penance: The priest, acting as a spiritual physician, prescribes appropriate penances – not as punishment, but as medicine for the soul, aiding us in overcoming our passions and growing closer to God. The Mystery of Reconciliation: Confession isn't simply about listing sins; it's a profound sacrament of reconciliation, a return to communion with God and His Church. The priest, as an icon of Christ, offers absolution, conveying God's forgiveness and restoring us to spiritual wholeness. Regarding your coworker's concern about priests being sinners: indeed, we are all vessels of clay, prone to weakness. Yet, through their ordination and ascetic struggle, priests become vessels sanctified for this sacred ministry. Just as we wouldn't refuse treatment from a doctor because they, too, are human and susceptible to illness, so too should we not reject the healing balm of Confession offered through a priest. Remember the words of St. John Chrysostom: "Tell your sins to your physician, that he may cure them. Show your wounds to Him who is able to bind them up." May these words strengthen your understanding and embolden your witness. Remember, gentle persuasion and a spirit of love are often more effective than heated debate. If your coworker is open, invite her to learn more about Confession from an Orthodox perspective. Perhaps she could speak with a priest or explore resources on the Church's website. May God guide you both on your spiritual journeys. 🙏 May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always. May the blessings of God's mother, the virgin, and the cross be upon us. Amen. © John's Repentance Reach out to us on our social media platforms and share it with your friends: https://linktr.ee/johnsrepentance