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So, just a mini-thread here, to clarify a previous mini-thread on confession (that was in ‘response’ form). Let me be clear that Confession is an event of God's forgiveness, and that is why it was recognized as sacramental. 1/?
(There was never a list of the number of sacraments--that was way later development. In reality, all material reality is sacramental, and its sacramentality depends on how we relate to this material reality). 2/?
The word 'absolution' is misleading, because it reinforces a legalistic, merit-based, page-ripping idea of sin and salvation. 3/?
With the word 'absolution' we also become obsessed on when the 'moment' of forgiveness occurs, somewhat analagous to our obsession on the 'moment' when the bread/wine are transformed and when we are united to Christ's body and blood in the Eucharist. 4/?
This obsession potentially reduces the sacraments to magic tricks. Sacraments are events of the inbreaking of God's presence (grace), where we encounter God, experiencing God's forgiveness and unite ourselves to Christ. 5/?
The word ‘absolution' detracts fromthe transformative purpose & effect of the sacraments; reduces our relationship with God to a contract. 6/?
Salvation is not contractual exchange; it is becoming godlike, more loving through realizing how much we were loved from very beginning. God's love is always on offer; to understand & accept that offer is the real spiritual struggle; that's when the transformation happens. 7/?
Confession is one of the many tools in the Church's toolkit that work toward effecting that spriritual transformation. 8/end.
