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Fr. Michael Shields is the marvellous pastor of the Church of the Nativity in Magadan, Russia. In this place countless Christians suffered and died in the Soviet hard-labour camps. Today he works tirelessly to care for the many broken souls who survived and have remained to live in Magadan.
The parish is run as a mission from the Archdiocese of Anchorage and the newspaper of that diocese has printed his thoughts on confession. As we begin the 3rd Sunday of Lent and contemplate the nearness of Holy Week it is worth reflecting on his hope-filled words.
I think I heard this joke from Archbishop Hurley first. The priest is by himself and is asked, 'Have you been to Confession lately?'
He answers, 'No, I have to fly, which is too expensive for venial sins and too dangerous for mortal sins.'
If I want to go to confession right now I have to fly. The nearest priest is 800 miles away.
I have seen marvellous healing and deep changes here in Russia in people's lives after receiving this Sacrament.
I remember when I was asked to hear someone's confession for the first time since her Baptism some 40 years ago in the Ukraine. Another Russian said to me, ''Father, you know this is a new life for her, so please take your time and listen to her and give her the needed advice because she wants to change her life.''
From that time on, I spend time before every Mass and often throughout the week with people who take seriously this Sacrament of healing. Russians sin seriously and repent just as seriously. I myself am suffering for not being able to receive this gift of forgiveness. I used to go every week when Father David was here. It was my Saturday night routine, which I loved and hated.
I hated it because I knew I would have to be honest with myself because Fr. David already knew my sins anyway. I couldn't make a superficial confession as though sin did not matter. It divides us from God and ourselves. I loved it because it does exactly what it is supposed to do; it frees the heart to love again and the soul to praise God again and the mind to think clearly again and the will to choose freely again. I love this Sacrament so much that I will fly, in March, to receive it before Easter.
I really pity people who do not receive this Sacrament when it is available at every church almost any time.
I have a hunch that if an announcement was made in the bulletin and from the pulpit that people were not allowed to go to Confession anymore, there would be a great protest and maybe some long lines would form outside the churches with plaque-cards saying 'Hell No! We want to go!'
It is so unfortunate that so many are missing the opportunity of a great healing and not taking seriously the truth of the condition of our soul before God.
'Hell No! Heaven Yes!' For this reason we must receive the Sacrament regularly - even if we have to fly.
