Getting Real with God

For five weeks during the season of Lent, a group of us met on Wednesdays to study Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. Some of us were lifelong Lutherans, some of us were newer Lutherans or not Lutherans at all. We had some great discussions, grew in our understanding of the gospel, and received a loaf of Patti Calvert’s tomato soup bread (but don’t get me started on that cream-cheese frosting with rainbow sprinkles, or this article will get reaalllllly long and full of synonyms for “delicious.”)

The class encouraged me to write an article on the gift of Confession and Absolution. The public rite of Confession and Absolution is a part of every worship service here at St. Peter’s. It precedes Holy Communion, a meal which celebrates God’s love and forgiveness for us all. We do this every week because we sin every week. Also, we do this because God’s primary business is forgiving sins. As Martin Luther puts it, “Where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.”

When we get to that part of the service, you are encouraged to bring to mind those sins of which you are aware and which trouble you. Perhaps you would like to use the prelude and bring these things to mind, because most often the Confession and Absolution is our first act of worship. What sins shall we bring before God in worship? Martin Luther says, “Here reflect on your place in life in light of the Ten Commandments: whether you are a father, mother, son daughter, employer, employee; whether you have been disobedient, unfaithful, lazy; whether you have harmed anyone by word or deed; whether you have stolen, neglected, wasted, or injured anything.” We also acknowledge that we have committed sins of which we are not aware.

So we stand, and confess these sins before God. We start our service by getting real with God, being honest, and “clearing the air.” Now we await the word of Absolution, which is truly God doing God’s business of forgiving sins through the minister who announces these or similar words: “In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven.” We receive “forgiveness from the pastor as from God himself and by no means doubt but firmly believe that our sins are thereby forgiven before our Father in heaven.” (Luther) Having full assurance that God is a loving and generous God who forgives sin and gives life, we are free to worship God, and receive the Lord’s Supper with joyful, trusting hearts.

Sometimes there are sins that weigh on us heavily, and we are so guilt-ridden that we cannot believe that our sins are indeed forgiven in this one act. Lutherans do have a practice of individual confession and forgiveness that can be arranged on an “as-needed” basis with the pastor, in a private counseling session. This order of service can be found on page 243 in our red hymnals. If you ever find yourself disbelieving the words of forgiveness spoken to you in the public rite of confession, then you are encouraged to make an appointment with me any time. Confession and Absolution is God’s way of removing obstacles that exist between ourselves and God – so believe the good news that comes to you in Jesus Christ: “Your sins are forgiven, go in peace.”