Do Not Conceal Your Sins in Confession
May 7
(A homily about the robber who confessed all his sins before everyone in repentance.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
May 7
(A homily about the robber who confessed all his sins before everyone in repentance.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
In the Church’s exhortation by the confessor to the penitent before confession, we read among other things: “Behold, my child, Christ stands here invisibly, receiving your confession; do not be ashamed, nor afraid, and hide nothing from me, but without concealment tell everything you have done, that you may receive forgiveness from our Lord Jesus Christ…; but if you hide anything from me, you will have a double sin.” Therefore, whoever hides his sins in confession doubles them. And so it is; for such a person adds another sin to the one he has hidden: he lies before God, Who Himself stands invisibly, receiving our confession. But, unfortunately, many Christians are not instructed by this; some out of false shame, others out of pride, others through lack of faith, and still others simply through not understanding the great importance of the most holy Mystery of Repentance, hide their sins in confession, and thus leave confession not only not cleansed of their sins, but even more burdened by them and condemned. How can such people be led to correction? How can they be instructed so that in the future they will be fully open in confession? Let us try to encourage and instruct them by an example.
A certain robber, having repented and resolved to dedicate the rest of his days to the service of God, came to Alexandria to a monastery, to Abbot John, and asked to be received into the brotherhood. The abbot ordered that he be admitted, and after seven days summoned him, asked whether he truly wished to become a monk, questioned him about his life, and the man confessed to John all his sins. But the abbot was not satisfied with this and said to him: “I want you to recount your sins before all the brethren.” The man who truly desired to turn to God replied: “Not only before all the brethren, but, if you wish, I will confess before all Alexandria.” Then the abbot gathered everyone — two hundred and thirty monks — and during the Liturgy, after the reading of the Gospel, ordered that the newcomer be brought in like one condemned, clothed in sackcloth, bound, and with his head covered. When he was brought to the church doors, John cried out in a loud voice: “Stand here: you are not worthy to enter the church.” The man, trembling, fell to the ground and watered the church floor with his tears. The abbot continued: “Confess your sins before all!” And the penitent, aloud before everyone, began to reveal his sins, some of which were so grave that it is difficult even to speak of them. After this confession, the abbot ordered that he be tonsured and admitted into the brotherhood. When the abbot was asked why he had imposed such a confession on the robber who came to him, he replied: “For two reasons: first, so that the former robber, through the shame he felt in open confession, might escape the terrible shame at the Judgment of God — and this was accomplished, for one of the best monks saw that at the very moment the robber was confessing his sins, an Angel of God holding a scroll was erasing them; and second, to move those who conceal their sins in confession to make an open confession, and so that they may know that without this no one will receive forgiveness of sins.”
So, brethren, these are the conditions under which those who truly wished to turn to God confessed their sins! Should we be ashamed to reveal our sinful wounds before a single priest, who is nothing more than a witness of our confession before God? It is shameful! But is it not also shameful and shameless to lie before God? It is fearful! But will it not be even more fearful to reveal one’s sins at the Judgment of God, before myriads of Angels and people, if one has not repented now? It wounds our self-love! But will it be spared on the universal stage? No, brethren, one cannot hide from God. He knows all our sins, all the counsels of our sinful hearts, all our most hidden sinful intentions. What, then, is gained if we appear pure and righteous before the confessor? Will it be easier for us because of that? No. “It will be terrible for us to answer,” says Saint John Chrysostom, “when heaven and earth, air and water rise up against us as witnesses of our iniquities. And even if all remain silent, our very thoughts, our very deeds, will stand before our eyes, condemning us before God” (Homilies on Matthew; from the book Incorruptible Food, p. 337). Therefore, while there is still time, turn to the Lord with true, sincere, and open repentance — with all your heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and in lamentation; and rend your hearts and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God (Joel 2:12–13). Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
