The Paradox of Confessional Booths

“Confession is good for the soul.” 

This has been a widespread phrase used everywhere. I’ve heard this when I was growing up in the Philippines, and I still hear it since I have moved to Canada.

I believe this is a very factual phrase. Scientifically, we pay a psychologist to analyze us as we share our very thoughts as they come. To share unfiltered, candid, emotions feelings, or thoughts. The more honest the better. It is recommended, it is encouraged, it is mandatory for some. 

Biblically, it backs up this phrase:

1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

James 5:16

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

Psalms 28:13

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”

In short, it is not only good for the soul, but this is also how we attain forgiveness, and this is the beginning of change. It is the beginning of a transformation. And on the contrary, if we conceal or hide our transgressions (our shortcoming, failing to acknowledge our weaknesses, our sin) it hinders you from progressing or as Psalms would say, from prospering.

Whenever we would hear the word confession, our minds automatically go to a certain image. The confessional booth. At least for me, it does.

As I have thought about it, the confessional booth is a paradox.

As a Filipino, growing up in a nation where the Catholic Church is a very prominent religion, I had the opportunity to learn of this particular group and its tradition. Now, I have not questioned it because I had neither the interest nor the understanding as a little boy to inquire of what this contraption was or its purpose. And so, I am just a spectator as I have never had the opportunity to go and experience the booth.

The confessional booth as many should be familiar with is very accurate for how it is portrayed in the movies. It’s usually a wooden stall, with at least 2 compartments, One for the Priest, and another for the confessor. 

Now, I strongly believe that only God can forgive sins. It’s Biblical. Only the real Father can forgive our sins. 

But my quandary with the booth is the fact that there is a booth.

Confession in its essence is to look at yourself in the mirror and admitting to your faults, inconsistencies, failure, sinfulness, and being open and genuine to the reality that we are just men. Its purpose, to restore. 

The Paradox is that confession is an act of examination, an act of being open to God and asking for his help. The booth is meant to hide your face behind a room, to declare all your inconsistencies, failure, sin, and hide behind the barrier and leave.

However, this process, allows the person to declare his/her deepest darkest secret without confronting the problem. That is not a confession. Confession, addresses the problem, admitting to it, and facing it. The Bible says, confess your sins to God and he is FAITHFUL and JUST to forgive our sins.

I have read a story somewhere on Facebook. The story takes place in a supermarket and as the narrator spoke it, she had heard a commotion on aisle 13. As she was curious to see what happened, she took a step back and took a peek to see what was going on. 

There was an older lady who rested on one of the shelves, and with her added weight, collapsed the whole shelf with many broken glasses. She felt so ashamed, and embarrassed, she got on her knees as she tried to pick up the pieces and clean up.

The narrator, looking around saw no one helping. So out of the goodness of her heart, came and helped. The store manager also came and helped her out. The older lady expressed her shame and embarrassment to the manager then says, “don’t worry about this, we have insurance for this kind of situation. We will clean this up for you.”

And oftentimes, this is God for us. Our sins, our shame, our embarrassments, are represented in this mess that was made. And the God of grace comes in, and he is FAITHFUL and JUST. He does not hold it against you, he does not remind you of your sins, he forgives, he writes it off, he says, “Don’t you worry about it, I got you.” I can almost hear his voice, when he told the lady that was caught in adultery, where are your accusers? Go and sin no more”

Confession IS good for the soul. If your definition of confession is the right one. Honestly, It’s great for your soul. It’s true freedom, to be honest about your soul.

The goal and purpose of confession is reconciliation. That is the restoration of broken relationships. Whether with God or people. Restoring a severed friendship. Restoring your broken home. Repairing a family back together. It begins by completely being honest.

For us to get where we need to be, we must first admit where we are.

The purpose of this word is simply this. Confession must not stop with admitting to our faults and sins, but we must attempt to restore or rebuild what relationships we have broken. 

As humans, we will never be perfect. But God wrote laws that when we break something, we have the capability to repair. With love, with compassion, with forgiveness, with grace. Man can coexist in peace even with the risk of hurting someone, there is hope for a restored peace. 

Don’t hide behind the booth. Face it, and I promise you a freedom you’ve never experienced before. The truth shall set you free.