I wrote last week about my experience with Confession. I was happy I received the grace from the Sacrament, but less than satisfied with the counsel I received during Confession.

Confession can be a tricky thing. When you’re going into the confessional to unload all your sins and you realize that you continue to do the same things over and over again, you want some counsel. You want the priest to provide you with a “how-to” to fix your life. It doesn’t work that way. Often times, the priest says nothing except to give your penance and absolve you from your sins. That can be a bit frustrating when you feel you’ve just said something huge. It’s taken me a long time to realize that I still receive the grace from the Sacrament simply by making a good Confession. (And that if I need spiritual direction, I shouldn’t rely on the confessional for that.)

I forgot that last week when I got so upset at the priest who told me to get over it. After blabbing about it to everyone, I knew I had to go back and confess my bad mouthing. As I started my confession today, the poor priest was probably thinking what could you have done in one week to come back. Once I told him what happened, he laughed. I think he needed that after hearing confessions for most of the day. I went on with the rest of my confession and did indeed receive counsel on some things. Sadly, he just didn’t have it in him today to counsel me on what I needed the most. He was just too worn out. And he knew it and offered apologies to me. He did remind me that I still received grace and that would get me through to next week!

I am so thankful to this priest who heard confessions for over five hours today. (Most Catholic churches in the city stopped hearing confessions before the Triduum started.) I know how tired he must have been. Priests have been getting a bad rap these days, some deserved, but for all the bad priests out there, there are a lot more really good and generous men who have devoted their life to God. I am thankful for these men, especially on today when I could receive the Sacrament of Confession.