The formula of absolution used in the Latin Church expresses the essential elements of this sacrament: The Father of mercies is the source of all forgiveness. He effects the reconciliation of sinners through the Passover of his Son and the gift of his Spirit, through the prayer and ministry of the Church:
God, the Father of mercies, through the death and the resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
thank you. Personally, I don’t get wrapped up over confession being made in private prayer, to a priest or to my minister or a fellow elder; when I’m seeking resolution to wrongs in my life.
Getting the ‘sin off one’s chest’ is the goal in my view and clearing the way to move one’s life toward or back toward what God wants is to be and do.
And it we’ll find out when we get to heaven if we’ve correctly interpreted what Jesus taught. :-)
You have a chapter and verse on that where Christ gave that formula to His disciples so that if they recited it, the person’s sins were magically erased?
What if the priest says it wrong? Then what? No forgiveness?
Sometimes, Lady, you make posts which make me wonder if you ever read the Bible! To partake in the sacrament of bread and wine one is to be ‘caught up’ in the recognition and confession of sins, confessed directly to God Who I s faithful and just to forgive us. THEN partake of the Sacrament. Partaking of the Lord’s Table does not cleanse us from the sins.