Missionary of Mercy, Missionary of Hope
One of the frustrations many of us experience in our approach to the sacrament of confession is that of feeling like we are in a rut at times — that we are approaching with the same old “laundry list” of sins as always. Sometimes, we feel as if we have plateaued on our spiritual journey, and, from there, we wonder if we will ever make meaningful improvement. Certain sins still find us even after years of fighting against them. Discouragement is a common feeling, or, even worse, there might be a sense of hopelessness.
One of the frustrations many of us experience in our approach to the sacrament of confession is that of feeling like we are in a rut at times — that we are approaching with the same old “laundry list” of sins as always. Sometimes, we feel as if we have plateaued on our spiritual journey, and, from there, we wonder if we will ever make meaningful improvement. Certain sins still find us even after years of fighting against them. Discouragement is a common feeling, or, even worse, there might be a sense of hopelessness.
I always try to remind people that discouragement is not from God. Discouragement, rather, is one of the devil’s tricks. He wants us to think that there is no hope, that we won’t ever get better, that maybe we are even wasting our time and God’s. These are lies, though. With God, there is always hope. God is on our side. He did not become one of us in Christ and suffer as He did in order to leave us to our own devices. That would be the image of a cruel God, but that is not Whom we serve. We serve the God of hope.
The theological virtue of hope essentially enables us to look beyond the struggles, the crosses, the annoyances of this world — including spiritual plateaus — to the happiness of Heaven. It teaches us that God wants us to be with Him in Heaven forever, and that He will help us to get there, if we place our hope in Him. Hope is also the firm basis for trust: When I have the virtue of hope, then I find it easier to trust that God will get me through the day-to-day and the ups and downs — and thus, to be at peace.
Almost as discouraging as our experience of a certain hopelessness and frustration in approaching the sacrament is our experience at times of our own weakness. Again, this can be one of the devil’s tricks: he, the “accuser,” gladly tells us that we are still too weak, that we are not yet ready to go back to the path of virtue. Those who believe this lie sometimes stay away from the sacrament for an extended period, but I have noticed in my own life how my weakness can be met with God’s strength.
Yes, it has been precisely in those moments where I was feeling quite “down and out” about my sin – those moments when I really did not think I could get back on track — that going to confession and receiving absolution gave me the strength that I needed. Basically, the advice should always be: “Go to confession!” Do not wait until you feel strong enough — you might never get there. Do not wait until the discouragement subsides — it might only get worse. Rather, run to receive God’s mercy and a new hope!
We have begun an Ordinary Jubilee Year, and Pope Francis has asked us to reflect especially upon the virtue of hope during this time. For me, through my personal practice of receiving the sacrament of confession often and also through offering it generously to others, I have come to see in a particular way how growth in hope is connected with regular and good use of confession. The God Who is on our side is always happy to receive us there, and I, as His Missionary of Mercy, am happy to impart hope.
I especially wish to appeal to those who have been away from the sacrament for some time. I myself had been away from confession for many years earlier in my life, and, upon returning, was shocked at the burden that I had been carrying around – which I felt was lifted from me by God. Find a priest (it doesn’t have to be your parish priest). Perhaps make an appointment, so you don’t feel pressured like you might if you were standing in line. Make a good and thorough confession. Experience hope in a new way!
“Hope does not disappoint,” St. Paul taught. Why? “Because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit dwells within us when we are right with God, when we are in the state of grace. How important it is that we strive to live and die that way. Then we have the hope of eternal salvation. There are many confessions along the way. Sometimes there is the “laundry list,” discouragement, or weakness, but God is on our side – and He wants us to be full of hope.
Missionaries of Mercy are priests appointed by Pope Francis to offer the sacrament of confession generously with faculties to do so anywhere in the world, to preach on God’s mercy often, and to be able to lift certain censures for canonical crimes that some may commit and give them absolution. Father Jerabek has been a Missionary of Mercy since November 2020.
Father Jerabek is the pastor and rector of the Cathedral of St. Paul. He also currently serves as chaplain for Birmingham-area university students, chancellor of the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama, judicial vicar of the diocese, and a Missionary of Mercy of His Holiness, Pope Francis.
