Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time.

My dear Parishioners,

Peace! There are twenty-three (23) In Brief passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and five (5) canons in the Code of Canon Law which can help us to appreciate the Sacrament of Penance. The following is a reflection on CIC ‘83 canon 916.

Concerning the Sacrament of Penance, there are five things worthy of consideration in canon 916.
The first consideration concerning canon 916 is the importance of the examination of conscience whereby we may become conscious of grave sin. If we never examine our conscience and recognize our shortcomings and sins, then we will never repent or confess them and we will die in our sins, thwarting the holy will of God, namely, our salvation.

A second consideration concerning canon 916 reminds us that priests and bishops are not to celebrate Mass in grave sin. No one, laity, priest or bishop… is to receive Holy Communion with grave sin on the soul. To receive Holy Communion with sin one’s soul is called sacrilegious communion and is itself a grave sin. In order to celebrate Mass or to receive Holy Communion well, those conscious of grave sin must first go to the Sacrament of Penance or Confession.

A third consideration concerning canon 916 is that sometimes there may be a grave reason to offer the Holy Mass or to go to Holy Communion and no opportunity to confess before hand. If a priest or bishop has been assigned to such an assignment so as to make impossible for him to make a good Confession, God does not ask the impossible… In my last five assignments as a priest I have not been in such a situation and I have made myself available to penitents wishing to make a good Confession, often hearing an average more than one hundred confessions monthly.

A fourth consideration concerning canon 916 reminds us that the power of a “perfect act of contrition” is not insignificant. The Act of Contrition is a part of the Sacrament of Penance but need not be limited to use only in the Sacrament of Penance. Frequent praying of the Act of Contrition may keep the both the mercy and justice of God before our eyes and dissuades us from further sins.
The fifth and final consideration of canon 916 is that included in a “perfect act of contrition” is the firm resolve not only to “sin no more” but also to “go to confession as soon as possible.” Let us avail ourselves of the Sacrament of Penance often, and with devotion. Blessed John Paul II gave us the excellent example of weekly Confession. To only go to Confession once or twice each year, or God forbid even less frequently, makes a thorough examination of conscience more difficult and sadly increases the risk of dying in a state of mortal sin with dreadful consequences. God’s mercy awaits us and our souls are cleansed in the Sacrament of Penance.

God bless you!

Father John Arthur Orr