The Sacrament and Theology of Repentance

Introduction: A Welcoming Word on Spiritual Healing

Welcome to a gentle exploration of one of the most profound pathways to spiritual healing. This article aims to demystify the Sacrament of Repentance for those who are new to the concept, explaining its deep meaning, its necessity for our spiritual lives, and the incredible benefits it offers. Together, we will walk through this sacred practice, understanding it as a beautiful gift of renewal and forgiveness from God.

1. What is the Sacrament of Repentance?

1.1. The Core Meaning: More Than Just Saying Sorry

At its heart, Repentance is a concept rooted in the Ge'ez word nessih─ü, which means to regret, to be sorry, and, most importantly, to turn back. It is far more than a simple apology; it is a conscious turning away from our wrongdoings and a turning back toward God. This sacrament is the specific means through which any sin committed after Baptism can be remitted and forgiven.

1.2. The Universal Need for Repentance

A foundational understanding in this journey is that it is impossible for any human being to live on this earth without sin. It is a known truth of our condition that even if a person's life lasts for only a single day, they will commit transgressions during that time. Because of this universal human reality, regular repentance is not just an option but a necessity for every person who seeks to receive God's forgiveness, grace, and blessing. Now that we understand what repentance is, let's explore why it was established as a formal sacrament.

2. The Divine Origins of Repentance

2.1. Established by Christ

The Sacrament of Repentance was not created by human tradition; it was founded, commanded, and taught by Jesus Christ Himself. His ministry began with this foundational call to spiritual renewal:

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Only God, who became human in the person of Jesus Christ, has the ultimate authority to forgive sin. He came to earth for this very purpose: to forgive all and to establish a way for that forgiveness to continue.

2.2. The Authority Given to the Church

After establishing the sacrament, Christ gave this divine authority to His Apostles, making them the possessors of His power to forgive on earth. He gave them this charge with a heavenly guarantee:

"Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

This promise was made even more explicit and powerful after His resurrection. Appearing to the Apostles, He breathed on them and gave them this direct commission to act in His name:

"Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

This sacred authority was then passed down through the generations to bishops and priests, who act as Christ's agents in the world. They do not forgive out of their own power, but through the authority given to them by Christ. This relationship is so profound that it is said, "the heavenly King confirms what the earthly priest decides." This divine foundation leads directly to the way the sacrament is practiced today.

3. The Practice of Repentance: A Two-Fold Journey

The journey of repentance involves both an internal state of the heart and an external act of humility. These two parts, Repentance and Confession, work together to bring about forgiveness.

3.1. The Inner State and the Outward Act

Repentance begins in the heart with genuine sorrow for one's sins and a firm resolve to turn away from them. This internal transformation must then be expressed through the external act of confession before a priest.

3.2. Essential Steps in Confession

For a confession to be true and effective, the penitent must approach the sacrament with a specific mindset and take certain crucial steps:

• Believe in God's Presence: The person confessing must believe that God Himself is present as the "third party" in the room. While you speak to the priest, you must have faith that God is listening, watching, and ready to forgive.
• Forgive Others First: This is a vital prerequisite. To receive forgiveness from God, you must first leave behind all grievances against others and forgive those who have wronged you. Because you have approached God with a forgiving heart, He will in turn forgive you.
• Trust in the Priest's Prayer: Through the covenant Christ established, you must trust that when the priest prays and speaks the words of absolution ("May God forgive you, May God loose you"), you receive complete forgiveness from God. This forgiveness covers all sins—those committed knowingly and those committed unknowingly through error.

With the act of confession complete, the soul is now ready to receive the profound spiritual benefits of the sacrament.

4. The Fruits of Repentance: Healing, Purity, and Grace

4.1. The Profound Benefits of Forgiveness

The Sacrament of Repentance yields incredible spiritual fruit, transforming the soul and renewing one's relationship with God.

• Spiritual Cleansing: It cleanses a person from all sin committed after Baptism, washing away defilement and making the soul pure.
• Total Renewal: The sacrament has the power to completely renew the "aged inner self." It makes a "harlot like a virgin, a sinner like a righteous person, and an offender as if they had not offended," restoring the soul to a state of innocence.
• Restored Relationship: Repentance tears down the "wall of sin" that separates a person from God. This allows them to "see" God with a pure heart, restoring intimate communion.
• Access to Other Sacraments: It is the necessary gateway to fully and worthily participate in all other Sacraments of the Church.

4.2. Understanding "Canon": A Path for Correction

After confession, a priest may give a Canon (Qänoona). This should not be seen as a punishment, but rather as a "penalty given for correction." It is a Church discipline with deep historical roots, having existed since the time of the Apostles and practiced by the ancient and Apostolic Church. Its purpose is to help the penitent person get back on the "true Christian path" and strengthen their resolve against future sin.

Examples of these temporary, beneficial Canons can include:

• Reading the Holy Book for a specific number of days
• Making pilgrimages to holy sites
• Giving alms from one's property
• Fasting for a set period

Once the penitent fulfills the determined Canon, they are restored as a full participant in all the holy things of the Church from which they may have been restricted.

5. The Visible Act and the Invisible Grace

The Sacrament of Repentance is a profound mystery where a visible, earthly action results in an invisible, heavenly grace.

• The Visible Ministry: We can see the penitent person appearing before the priest, weeping and confessing their sins. We can see the priest, in his vestments, listening and praying for the remission of that sin.
• The Invisible Grace: What we cannot see is the moment the person is cleansed from their sin, when their lost grace is restored, and their status as a child of God is renewed.

It is through our faith that we believe this visible ministry is the channel through which the invisible, transformative grace of God is obtained. This connection between the seen and unseen leads us to the ultimate purpose of repentance.

6. Conclusion: The Open Door to Renewal

In summary, the Sacrament of Repentance is a necessary and divinely-created gift from Jesus Christ, performed through humble confession to a priest. Its ultimate purpose is to cleanse the soul from sin, tear down the walls that separate us from God, and renew our lives with His grace and blessing. It stands as a beautiful and always accessible path to healing, an open door that all should strive to walk through.