Bishop's Reflections on Ash Wednesday
Dear Co-laborers with Christ,
The words are familiar, perhaps too familiar: “…we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves…” In one form or another, they are and have been a common element in most of our traditional liturgies of confession and absolution. They are stated publicly, in the context of congregational worship, often by rote. Perhaps, even during the brief silence for reflection and self-examination, we do not actually unpack the depth of our powerlessness before sin.
Lent is a season of somber reflection, contemplation and repentance in which the words of confession may take on special emphasis. I would suggest that, especially at the beginning of the Lenten season, we might claim the opportunity to sharpen our focus on repentance. While we are all familiar with the practice of corporate confession, it is not widely known that the Lutheran Church also allows for individual confession and absolution.
It is a common perception that in his attempt to reform the church, Martin Luther advocated the abolishment of all individual or private confession before a priest. This is not accurate; for Luther himself in his “Brief Exhortation of Confession” in The Large Catechism, clearly states, “…when we do not find ourselves sufficiently strong in faith, we may at any time and as often as we wish lay our complaint before a brother (pastor), seeking his advice, comfort, and strength. So if there is a heart that feels its sin and desires consolation, it has here a sure refuge when it hears in God’s Word that through a man (pastor) God looses and absolves him from his sins.”
Luther made clear that individual confession and absolution before a priest or pastor was not a prerequisite for receiving the Sacrament; and that in private confession, it was neither necessary nor possible to enumerate all of one’s sins. But Luther felt strongly that individual confession before a pastor was a means of hearing the sweet words of comfort and consolation in the absolution granted through the grace of God.
The Lutheran Book of Worship Occasional Services and Evangelical Lutheran Worship Pastoral Care include an order for Individual Confession and Forgiveness. A parishioner troubled by particular sins or offenses may make an appointment with his or her pastor for Individual Confession and Forgiveness. Prior to the liturgy, it is helpful for the penitent to speak with the pastor concerning those things about which the parishioner is troubled, and pastoral conversation and advice may precede the liturgy. It is not necessary to try to remember every sin or offense and include these in individual confession; only those sins which have caused deep grief and sorrow need be offered at this meeting. Requests for forgiveness of other sins are to be included in the Order for Confession and Forgiveness at Sunday services and in personal daily devotion.
The process of individual confession is entirely confidential. The Office of the Keys grants to the ordained pastor the privilege of conveying the forgiveness of God to the penitent in this liturgy. It is important to know that the confession is protected from disclosure by the pastor to whom it is confessed.
The unique atmosphere of the Lenten season gives us the opportunity to reflect upon this ever-present opportunity. As Lutherans, we need not hesitate to use the liturgy for Individual Confession and Forgiveness when our hearts are burdened by the depth of sin that grieves us deeply.
Faithfully, your bishop,
+B. Penrose Hoover
LOWER SUSQUEHANNA
SYNOD
900
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