CONFESS, ABSOLVE 144

The latin words Ab means from, solvere means to loosen. According to John 20.22, 23 Jesus said to

his disciples "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven…" This is one

beginning of the sacrament of Absolution in the Christian Religion. A beginning is even when Jesus says

"When you know your Selves then you will be known, and you will be aware that you are the sons of the

Living Father. The Kingdom is in your centre and is about you" (The Gospel of Thomas 3: 7-12))

Jesus gives the impression that he could look deep into the psychic problems of people. Other religions

say the same about their prophets and saints.. A Greek Temple in Delphi is known to have the words "Know your selves" above the entrance. Modern psychoanalysis ought to be studied (e g Jung). Freud is reported to have said that Buddha had deep self-knowledge. Krishna studied the psychic stages of primitive and evolved souls (Bhagavad Gita) We do recommend everybody first to contemplate and be aware that

we are innermost divine, or children of the eternal Father-Mother, who is perfect---next to contemplate

our personal temporary faults or imperfections which create problems and study how to get rid of that.

We ought to use human methods and we can use divine religious sacramental help as invoking our

divine nature and what is called absolving. with the help of heaven and its vicarious atonement

A man cannot escape the consequences of his misdeeds though he can neutralize them by sowing fresh

causes of righteous kind. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man soweth, that he shall

also reap" (Galatians 6. 7)

For all ordinary purposes the general confession in the Holy Eucharist should suffice but this service is meant for those whose conscience is troubled with more weighty matters. Confession is entirely optional

and is not required as a preliminary to the reception of the Holy Communion. Children under seven are not subjects for confession. From 7 till 18 they may make auricular confession (save in emergency) only with the consent of parent or guardian.

THE INVOCATION

(P may sit beside the person who desires confession and the sacrament of Absolution)

Supplicant, (crossing himself)

In the name of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen

Father, I have sinned. I desire to confess and desire the blessing of Absolution

THE CONFESSION

Supplicant:

I confess before God Almighty, Father , Son and Holy Spirit

and to you, Father , (Pater,) (Bishop, ) (Pastor)…….

that I have sinned in thought, in desire, in word and deed. Especially I have……

……….

………….

For these and all my other offences which I cannot now remember

I am heartily sorry, firmly purpose amendment, most humbly ask remission of Almighty God,

and through you Father, Absolution and the benefit of spiritual counsel and advice

 

P hears the confession without interruption unless that be necessary-

P then gives such counsel as P may think well. P may suggest that the supplicant should attend the Holy

Eucharist with the desire that the power which then comes to him shall be used against some particular

fault or set of faults. This being done P proceeds to the Absolution

THE ABSOLUTION

P Our Lord Christ, who hath left power on earth to His Church to absolve all those that with hearty

Repentance and true faith turns unto Him, of His tender compassion forgive thee thine offences; and by

His authority committed unto us we + ABSOLVE thee from all thy sins.

In the Name of the Father + and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost

C Amen

P The King of Love and Fountain of all goodness restore unto thee the fellowship of the Holy Spirit and

give thee grace to continue in the same, that thou mayest soon inherit the kingdom of heaven and be

made like unto His own pure and glorious Image.

C Amen

*