Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Confession: Sacrament of Reconciliation With God and Human


    Matthew 22:34-40
 
Matthew 22:34-40 records a conversation between Jesus and Pharisees about the greatest commandment. They reach at a synthesis that; Love encompasses all commandments. Loving the God and neighbor is portrayed as the ultimate response that the God expect from human being. However, maintaining such relationship is often challenged by human vulnerability to commit ‘sin’. The Church observes confession as a means to reestablish the broken relationships and maintain the bond of love with God and human.    
Love as the Core of Confession: Today’s reading emphasizes the importance of love in our relationship with God and human. As an integral part of the Christian faith, confession emphasizes acceptance of one's own role in committing sins and seeking forgiveness. Therefore, confession is an act of love for God, as it reflects a desire to maintain a right relationship with God by admitting our faults and seeking God’s mercy and grace.
Confession heals body, mind and soul: In the passage, Jesus states that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Confession is an act of love towards God because it demonstrates our commitment to a genuine, honest relationship, that leads to holistic healing. It initiates a restoration to begin anew. The second part of the greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. In the context of confession, this can be seen as an acknowledgment of our wrong deeds and intentions, and a commitment to make amends with those we have wronged. Hence, confession is a unique sacrament that places both God and neighbor with same emphasis. Reconciling with our fellow human beings, and God is a loving and essential part of the Christian life.
Confession is a Gesture of love: Confession can be seen as a loving act towards oneself, as it is a way of acknowledging one's need for spiritual healing and growth. It is also an expression of love towards others because it signifies a willingness to make amends and restore relationships when our actions have harmed them. However, true confession requires our willingness to acknowledge broken relationship and to initiate restoration of initial commitment to one another. 
 
Matthew 22:34-40 encourages us to view confession as an expression of love for God, ourselves, and for our neighbors. It reflects a sincere desire to align our lives with these two great commandments and maintain harmonious relationship.
 

Prayer
Lord, help me realize my shortcomings and give me the courage to confess that, I am wrong. Strengthen me with the absolution that you may graciously guide my thoughts and words. 
 
Thought for the Day
Am I a person introspecting to find ways to love God, neighbor and myself? 


Rev. Dr. Pramod Zachariah
Vicar
Epiphany MTC, NY

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