When we sin, we usually feel we committed an action against God. We sometimes feel a disconnection to do what is right. Sometimes after we sin we want to hide ourselves to the faithful because we don’t want to reveal what we have done. As mentioned earlier, when we sin, God isn’t turning away from us, hiding Himself from us, but rather us turning away from Him. He loves us so deeply and looks for any way to bring us back to Him. After Adam and Eve took and ate the forbidden fruit, they regretted their decision. They hid themselves from the Lord’s presence, as they didn’t want the Lord God to see their shame. (see Genesis 3:8). But the Lord God knew what they had done, and called out to them, not asking where they physically are, (as He knows physically where they are), but where they are spiritually. (see Genesis 3:9). When we sin, we often hear God asking this of us, where are you? Why have you made yourself distant? 

 

However God always gives us the opportunity to confess and to be reconciled with Him. Although, many times when we are feeling ashamed of ourselves we ignore it, or in the case of Adam and Eve, we blame each other. “The man answered, ‘The woman you put here with me gave me the fruit, and I ate it.’ The Lord God asked the woman, ‘Why did you do this?’ She replied, ‘The snake tricked me into eating it.’ (Genesis 3:12-13). 

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When we have done wrong, or do not forgive others for their wrongdoings, we are not free in our hearts and minds. It’s like carrying a burden on our shoulders. The sacrament of reconciliation isn’t a punishment for our wrongdoings; it’s an opportunity for God to cleanse our soul and give us peace. Reconciliation gives us the chance to state our own sins in our lives. It helps us to grow in love and forgiveness to others, and to work on seeing our own flaws rather than the flaws of others. 

 

Let’s use an example; imagine a married couple, Mr and Mrs K. Let’s say Mrs K did something to hurt Mr K (intentionally or not), for example, neglecting the marriage vows in one way or another. Mrs K knows that she did wrong, however she doesn’t try to reconcile with Mr K and doesn’t apologize for her wrong doings. Mr K, being a faithful witness to Christ, forgives his wife, and continues to love her. The couple continues to journey on, though there is a stain, a wound on the marriage; something isn’t completely settled. Mrs K has underneath detached herself from Mr K, if she knows it, or not. 

 

God freely forgives and loves us. Though when we are in sin, we have to confess it. Sin is the devil trying to turn us away from Christ. If we want a full relationship with Christ we have to repent, to bring ourselves closer to Him