Jan 12, 2026, Allison Merrick, Atchison, KS

Sacred scripture is full of examples of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the exhortation to confess our sins to one another. Yet as a young evangelical Protestant, I had no framework for how this should be done. In 1 John 1:9 we read, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” This seemed straightforward, but it wasn’t.

As a youth, I offered many a guilt-filled prayer to the heavens hoping that divine forgiveness followed but received only silence. Confession didn’t have a place in my faith. I had no form, no prayers, no examination of conscience, and no sacramental knowledge to make this a regular practice. It’s uncomfortable to take inventory of your sins and confess them out loud to another person. What will they think of me? As a result, it didn’t happen.

Several years later, my husband, three children, and I were preparing to be received into the Catholic church. It was a year-long process, and I dreaded having to go to confession. I looked at this sacrament as the scary gate through which I had to pass to partake of the Eucharist. But then something beautiful happened that transformed my view.

A bit of gossip was circulating about the sin of a local young priest. Having a deep reverence for clergy, my husband and I told him what was being said. A few days later, after meeting with his bishop, he came over to our home. With a contrite and humble heart, he confessed the truth of that sin to us and asked our forgiveness. It was unexpected, raw, and honest. My respect for him grew tremendously that day.

About a month later I made my first confession to this young priest. Face to face I painfully went through 35 years of sins, many buried deep with time or shame. In those most vulnerable moments, knowing that he too was a sinner in need of Christ’s mercy, I confessed all the sins I could remember. And for the first time, I wasn’t met with silence. “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Your sins are forgiven, go in peace.” Hearing those words was like a tremendous weight lifted off my shoulders. I was told I was forgiven. I didn’t have to wonder and hope, I knew.

The sacrament of reconciliation is still painful, but it is my favorite.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. –Romans 3:23

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. –James 5:16