Episode 2644: Trusting in God’s Grace and Healing through Confession - Morning Episode

Today, we’re diving into the themes of trust, the power of the sacraments, and how we’re invited by God to truly heal and grow through them. In our fast-paced, often anxious world, we’re bombarded with distractions and worries. But as Saint Padre Pio reminds us, 'Don't spend your energies on things that generate worry, anxiety and anguish. Only one thing is necessary: Lift up your spirit, and love God.' These words hold a simple yet profound invitation to let go and turn our hearts to the Lord.
As Catholics, we have an incredible gift in the sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Confession. It’s a place where Christ Himself meets us not just to forgive but to transform and heal. Vinny Flynn speaks to this, saying, "I think the main reason we keep returning [to Confession] with the same list [of sins] is that we don't understand what Christ wants to do in the confessional. We go simply wanting our sins forgiven, not realizing that He wants to do much more. He wants to heal us of the attitudes, disordered desires, problems, and wounds that are causing us to keep committing those sins...Since the purpose of every sacrament is to give grace, and the purpose of grace is to heal and sanctify, then the ultimate goal of each sacrament is to heal us and make us holy so that we can become like God." – Vinny Flynn
We often see confession as a place to “clean up” our sins and perhaps a way to find temporary relief. But Flynn points out something so essential here: confession isn’t just about starting with a clean slate; it’s an encounter with Christ’s healing power. Every sacrament is designed to give us grace, and grace is the remedy for every disorder in our souls.
The Healing Power of the Sacraments
When we approach Confession with an open heart, we invite God to do more than forgive our actions we allow Him to shape our desires, attitudes, and wounds. These changes are gradual but real. Think of it as a spiritual therapy session where God, the Divine Physician, applies His healing touch, gently but powerfully reshaping us.
Saint Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, reminds us of the transformative power we receive through grace: 'In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory' (Ephesians 1:13-14). This passage encourages us to see ourselves as recipients of God’s promise, holding the Holy Spirit as our first installment a down payment, so to speak, of the eternal joy and healing awaiting us.
Building a Habit of Confession and Trust
If you’re finding that confession seems repetitive, that you’re confessing the same sins over and over, consider asking Christ in the confessional to guide you to the root of these struggles. Confess with the hope and faith that God can help you overcome not only your sins but also the reasons behind them. When we approach confession in this way, we cooperate with God’s grace in a deeper sense, opening ourselves up to true healing and the strength to avoid sin.
Lastly, let’s take Saint Padre Pio’s advice to heart: lift up your spirit and love God. We don’t need to rely solely on our own strength or worry about everything in life. Instead, let us spend our energy loving and trusting God, seeking His will, and entrusting our anxieties to Him.
Concluding Prayer
Let’s close with a prayer:
“Heavenly Father, we come before You in gratitude for the gift of Your love and mercy. Help us to approach the Sacrament of Confession with open hearts, ready not only for forgiveness but for true healing and transformation. Lord, through the grace of Your Holy Spirit, remove our disordered desires, heal our wounded hearts, and guide us on the path to holiness. Give us the courage to trust in You and lift our spirits above the worries and anxieties of this life. We ask this in the name of Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”