CONFESSION AND PENANCE

 

By: Charm Dogma

 

One of the practices I try to keep every Holy Week is going to confession. It is not only a way of asking forgiveness from the Lord, but also a way of fully entering into the spirit of Lentβ€”reflecting, repenting, and returning to Him.

This year, I found it difficult because of my night work schedule, which conflicted with most confession times. Unexpectedly, during a Sunday Mass in Glorietta two weeks before Easter, I discovered that confession was available the whole day. Without hesitation, I joined the long line while attending Mass.

Inside the confessional, I admitted my sinsβ€”some new, others repeated. After granting absolution, the priest gave me an unusual penance: to join the Stations of the Cross. I was surprised and even questioned it. π‘Šπ‘Žπ‘  𝑖𝑑 π‘‘π‘œπ‘œ π‘šπ‘’π‘β„Ž? π»π‘Žπ‘‘ 𝐼 π‘‘π‘’π‘™π‘Žπ‘¦π‘’π‘‘ π‘‘π‘œπ‘œ π‘™π‘œπ‘›π‘”?

At that moment, I realized my pride. I had begun to measure my sins and assume I deserved something β€œeasier.” Yet God gently corrected my heart. True repentance requires humility.

When I finally joined the Stations of the Cross, I was deeply moved. Reflecting on Christ’s suffering reminded me that He walks with me in all my struggles. As it says in 1 John 1:9, β€œπΌπ‘“ 𝑀𝑒 π‘π‘œπ‘›π‘“π‘’π‘ π‘  π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑠, 𝐻𝑒 𝑖𝑠 π‘“π‘Žπ‘–π‘‘β„Žπ‘“π‘’π‘™ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ 𝑗𝑒𝑠𝑑 π‘‘π‘œ π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘”π‘–π‘£π‘’ 𝑒𝑠.”

I left not only forgiven but transformedβ€”and grateful for the lesson in humility.

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