Gilpin observer., 1912-10-03
Sermon On
Confession
BY FATHER NAucHron..

Last Sunday Father Naughton's
sermon was continuation Of his in.
troductory instruction on the subject
OF Confession" After brief re-
view OF the proofs embodied In his
sermon OF the previous Sunday on THE
validity. of the existence of the doc
trine of Confession, as recognized
and practiced by the Catholic efiurlh,
he added the following remarks: (The
same from memory as nearly as pos
siblc in Father Naughton's exact
waords)
"All we ask of our Non Catholic
friends Is square deal. We do not
ask for mercy; we have absolutely no
apology to make for the doctrine OF
Confession, any more than fer the
beautiful practice of dedicating the
month of May, October and other
months to devotiors in homer CT the
Blessed Mother of God. We ask only
justice.
Some of our most intelligent and
cultured Non-Catholic friends, men
and women who are just and reason
able in all other matters, are absol-
utely Unfair in Their judgment Of
Catholic doctrine and practice.
"One of the most ridiculous notions
that many Non-Catholics have about
Confession is that the priest demands
pay for granting absolution. am
perfectly willing at any time to have
any Non-Catholic who cares to in
vestigate, to remain where he can OBJ
serve everything, (but cut of hearing
distance.) and see for himself how
much money passes between the PEN
itent and myself.
Another charge that .s often made
is that Catholics go to the priest
and confess their sins and then go
right out and commit the same sins
over again. We are all human; we are
all weak; tt:t it must be remembered
that the penitent must promise on
his word of honor not only to do all
in his power to avoid his past sins,
but even the occasions of them, II he
desires to obtain absolution. II a
man confesses that bad company has
been the means of leading him into
sin, but refuses to give UP that bad
company, the priest is in duty bound
to refuse him absolution; il peni-
tent confesses that he has stolen a
sum of money, and shows no dispcs-
ition to make restitution, his sincerity
is doubtful. indeed, and the priest
cannot grant him absolution.
Another objection often made is
that the priest Is a mere man and
has no power to forgive sins; that
1t is sufficient for us to confess our
sins to God. That is all we'll and good
AS man priest has no more power
to forgive sins than any other man,
but as minister of God he has.
when a penitent confesses. he
confesses in this fashion: II con-
fess to Almighty God. and to you.
Father acknowledging in these
words the priest as the representa-
tive of God.
Christ himself practised auricular
confession. Mary Magdalen admitted
her sin openly and was forgiven by
Him. On one occasion, when Christ
spoke to His Apostles assembled to-
o1I
power in heaven and on earth is CIV
en- to me; as the Father hath sent
me. so l also send you; go. there
fore, and teach all nations. baptizing
them in the name o. the Father. and
Of the son. and of the Holy Ghost;
whose sins you shall forgive. they are
forgiven them, and whose sins you
shall retain they are retained" This
was the occasion OF the institution
of Confession.
''Today's Gospel has direct bear
! ing on Confession. II relates that a
man was brought to Jesus who was
sick with the palsy. Jesus said to the
sick man. BE of good heart. son,
thy sins are forgiven thee whereat
the scribes criticised Jesus and said
within themselves. He blasphemeth.
Jesus. seeing their thoughts. said
Whether 1t is easier to say. thy sins
are forgiven thee, or. arise and walk
But that ye may know that the sor
OF man hath power on earth to for
give sins. (then He said to the mar
sick with the palsy.) Arise. take M
thy bed and go into thy house." And
he arose and went into his house
This miraculous cure OF a disease in
durable by any known human agenc,
was performed by Christ merely a.
/ n m Ha Ind AZ