Why do we go to Confession, anyways?

One question that I am always asked is "why to Catholics have to confess their sins to a Priest?"  This is something that I have struggled with many a time in my own life, and I'll admit, it hasn't always been easy for me to go to Confession.  There is a certain sense of human pride that stems from the desire for us to want everyone to think that we are "perfect", and that somehow, going to Confession tarnishes our reputation.  It even manifests itself when we walk into a church for confession, and we see someone there, and the first thought that enters our mind is "I don't want them to see me here!  What are they going to think of me now!"

The fact of the matter, though, is that we are all sinners.  We all have our own vices, struggles, and temptations that we fight every day, and sometimes they get the best of us.  Confession is a reminder for us as Catholics that God is merciful, and that our sins are forgiven.  Too many times, confession is cast in a negative light, because people think that the Priest is judging them for what they have done, and that the next time they are in Church for Mass, the Priest is going to be thinking "there's the person that did__________."  That couldn't be further from the truth.

I cite the example of a time in my life where it had been a few years since I had gone to confession, and after I finished confessing my sins to the Priest, the first thing he said to me was "welcome back."  He then proceeded to talk with me about how I could prevent myself from doing the things I had done again, and reminded me that God's mercy is without end, and that those who come seeking forgiveness will be forgiven, as long as they are truly sorry for what they have done, and are willing to amend their life.

Confession gives us a chance to be completely honest with ourselves, and strip away all the superficial barriers that we put up to make ourselves seem "perfect" to others.  It gives us a chance to really seek God's love and mercy, and to strive to always do better, through His Grace.  That is why, in the Act of Contrition, it says "I firmly resolve, with the help of YOUR grace, to sin no more, and to avoid the near occasions of sin."  Human nature is weak, and destined to fail.  But with God's grace, we can be strong, and resist the temptations of the Devil, and strive to always walk as children of the Light.  And perhaps the greatest reminder of God's mercy comes in the prayer of absolution that the Priest prays, thus dissolving all of the sins that have been committed.

"God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son,
Has reconciled the whole world to Himself, and sent the Holy Spirit into the world for the forgiveness of sins.
Through the ministry of the Church, may God grant you pardon and peace,
and I absolve you of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen"

I know the power that this sacrament has held for me, and I only hope that once, God Willing, I become a Priest, I am able to administer this Sacrament as effectively as it has been administered to me.