Lent. Confession.

With yesterday’s services of Ash Wednesday, we have officially begun the season of Lent, a time of intentional and focused spiritual growth as a way of preparing for the feast of feasts, Easter Sunday.

Lent is all about honesty. And when we are honest with ourselves, “we have left undone things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done” (BCP p. 321). This is of course why we have a corporate, general confession each and every Sunday.

But with the season of Lent upon us, I am going to encourage you to consider making a personal, private confession. Some Episcopalians are surprised to find out that we have Private Confession. It’s right there in the Book of Common Prayer, p. 447, however it goes by the name of “The Reconciliation of a Penitent.”

I am pleased to say that, over the past year or so, a number of you have taken me up on the offer of making a private confession. And so I will once again make my annual, lenten plea for you to consider it!

I truly believe that most people should take advantage of this great gift the Church has given us. Making a private confession, may seem scary, but I assure you there is nothing to be afraid of. If you've never done so before, and are curious, please let me know and I'd be happy to talk with you about the logistics of it and some ideas of how to prepare for it. While it may not be pleasant to speak aloud the sins you've confessed to another person, there really is nothing quite like the feeling of lightness after honestly confessing your sins and receiving the absolution and forgiveness of God's love.

See you in Church!

Peace,

Fr Adler+