Lent 101: The Rite of Reconciliation

“We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” — 1 Corinthians 5:20-21

These are the words that we heard on Ash Wednesday, reminding us that Lent is the “favorable time” to be reconciled to God, to remember the beauty of the gospel: that Christ became what we are that we might become what he is. He became sin that we might become righteous in the eyes of God.

If there is a particular sin, past or present, that is especially troubling your conscience and hindering your relationship to God, Reconciliation (or “Confession”) is a healing ministry of the church whereby your grief can be opened, your conscience relieved, and your fellowship restored through the assurance of pardon—the rest and relief that the gospel is actually true for you.

This sacramental act is required of none, but open to all this Lent.

Scheduled Times (no appointment necessary; the Rite is about 15 minutes long):

• Mondays, Feb 23-March 30: 4-5 PM in the chapel: Bree is available for confession

• Wednesdays, Feb 25-April 1: 4-5 PM in the chapel: Matt is available for confession.

• Other times available by appointment by emailing matt@apostlesclt.org or bree@apostlesclt.org.

“Therefore if there be any of you which by the means afore said cannot quiet his own conscience, but requireth further comfort or counsel; then let him come to me, or some other discreet and learned minister of God’s word, and open his grief, that he may receive such ghostly counsel, advice, and comfort, as his conscience may be relieved; and that by the ministry of God’s word he may receive comfort and the benefit of absolution, to the quieting of his conscience, and avoiding of all scruple and doubtfulness.” — Thomas Cranmer, 1552 Prayer Book