“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14

“If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” – 1 John 1:9

This Sunday is the first Sunday of the month.  Traditionally, on the first Sunday of the month we celebrate Holy Communion.  Throughout the church universal the celebration of Holy Communion is often connected to another faith practice, confession.

Confession is much more than saying, “I’ve done something bad and I’m sorry.”  Confession is telling the truth.  Can we talk with fullness about our victories if we do not also open up about our defeats.  Confession is frees us to live authentically.  Confession enables us to speak truth to power because it encourages us to speak truth to ourselves first.

Confession is not something we should be afraid of.  The act of confession is more than acknowledging that we have done something wrong, it is recommitting ourselves to living our lives inspired by love.  We confess not because of who we were, we practice confession because of who we want to be.

When we go to the Communion table and partake in the bread and the cup we are embracing the identity we seek, the embodiment of love divine.