The First Confession

Gospel: John 21: 15-19

The encounter between Jesus and Peter on the seashore after the resurrection can be seen as the first confession or reconciliation experience.  As such, it can be a model for what the sacrament ought to be in our celebration of reconciliation.  The first element worth noting is that it is Jesus who seeks out Peter for this encounter.  It is always the Lord who inspires the impulse to reconciliation within all of us.

Peter is well aware of his sin.  He has been ashamed for some time about it.  He need not name it. Instead, the Lord asks him, "Peter, do you love me?" Three times Peter expresses his love for Jesus.  The Lord then gives Peter the concrete path to wholeness: "Feed my sheep." Show mercy to other people in the same way that God has shown mercy to you in your life.  Finally, there is the exhortation: Follow me.  Don't worry about what other people are doing.  Just follow me.  

If we approach the sacrament of penance with this encounter in mind, then our lives will become different over time.  We will find ourselves continually renewing our love for God and others.  We will recommit ourselves and carry out acts of mercy extended outward to other people.  And we will find ourselves returning again and again to the Gospels in order to follow the Lord where he leads us.