In the world of baseball, perfection is a rare and coveted achievement. On June 2, 2010, Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga was one out away from joining an elite club of only 20 pitchers who had thrown a perfect game in the entire history of Major League Baseball. With two outs in the ninth inning, Cleveland’s Jason Donald hit a grounder to the right side of the infield. The ball was fielded cleanly, thrown to first base, and Galarraga stepped on the bag a split second before Donald. But in a moment that would be remembered for all the wrong reasons, first base umpire Jim Joyce signaled the runner safe.
The baseball world was stunned. Galarraga’s perfect game was lost on what replays clearly showed to be an incorrect call. Yet in the aftermath of this heartbreaking moment, something beautiful emerged. Joyce, facing intense scrutiny, admitted his mistake with genuine remorse. Galarraga, for his part, responded with grace and understanding. Their shared experience of imperfection, honesty, and forgiveness led to an unlikely friendship and even a book collaboration titled “Nobody’s Perfect.”
This story serves as a powerful metaphor for a spiritual practice that is often overlooked or misunderstood: confession. Like that crucial call at first base, confession requires us to face the truth about ourselves, even when it’s uncomfortable or painful. It challenges us to step out of denial and into the light of honesty and self-awareness.
The apostle John writes in his first epistle, “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). This imagery of light and darkness is a recurring theme in John’s writings, always emphasizing Jesus as the light of the world. Just as physical darkness cannot exist in the presence of light, our spiritual darkness – our sins and shortcomings – cannot remain hidden when exposed to the light of God’s truth.
But why is confession so important? Simply put, because sin matters. It infects our lives and damages our relationships with God and others. When we sin, especially against other people, we cannot fully embody the love that Jesus calls us to demonstrate. Confession is the first step towards healing and restoration.
However, there are often barriers that prevent us from embracing this spiritual discipline. Pride is a significant obstacle. We don’t want to admit our wrongs or acknowledge the harm we’ve caused because it challenges our self-image as “good people.” Even when confronted with our mistakes, pride can lead us to deflect responsibility or make excuses.
Fear of consequences is another common barrier. Like children inventing an imaginary “Nobody” to take the blame for broken vases or messy rooms, we adults often try to avoid facing the results of our actions. But this avoidance only serves to further damage our relationships and hinder our spiritual growth.
The reality is that sin exists in our lives whether we confess it or not. As John warns, “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth” (1 John 1:6). Refusing to acknowledge our sins doesn’t make them disappear; it only keeps us living in darkness.
So how do we practice meaningful confession? Drawing from the wisdom of St. Alphonsus, we can consider three essential components:
1. Examination of conscience: This involves intentionally setting aside time in prayer to ask God to reveal the specific sins we need to confess. It’s not about general admissions of wrongdoing, but about identifying concrete instances where we’ve fallen short.
2. Genuine sorrow: This goes beyond mere emotional response. It’s a deep recognition of the harm we’ve caused and sincere remorse for our actions.
3. Determination to avoid sin: Confession isn’t just about acknowledging past wrongs; it’s also about committing to do better in the future. This aligns with the Wesleyan concept of Christian perfection – not a state of flawlessness, but a continual striving to love God and neighbor as fully as possible.
It’s crucial to remember that the goal of confession is not self-flagellation or wallowing in guilt. Rather, it’s about experiencing the fullness of God’s forgiveness and grace. In many Christian traditions, the prayer of confession is immediately followed by words of assurance: “Hear the good news: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!”
This cycle of honest confession and divine forgiveness can transform our relationships – with God, with others, and even with ourselves. Just as Galarraga and Joyce found an unexpected bond through their shared experience of imperfection and grace, we too can discover deeper connections when we embrace vulnerability and forgiveness.
The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). This isn’t meant to condemn us, but to level the playing field. None of us can claim perfect innocence. We’ve all made mistakes, hurt others, and fallen short of our ideals. Recognizing this shared human condition can foster empathy and create space for mutual understanding and forgiveness.
Practicing regular confession requires discipline and courage. It asks us to look unflinchingly at our flaws and failures. But it also opens the door to profound spiritual growth and healing. Through confession, we step out of the shadows of denial and into the light of God’s love and grace.
As we reflect on the power of confession, let’s challenge ourselves to be more honest – with God, with others, and with ourselves. Let’s create spaces in our lives for self-examination and vulnerability. And most importantly, let’s remember that confession isn’t the end of the story. It’s the beginning of a journey towards forgiveness, restoration, and a deeper experience of God’s transforming love.
In a world that often prizes the appearance of perfection, there’s profound freedom in admitting our imperfections. For it’s in those moments of honesty that we truly open ourselves to the perfect love of God – a love that sees us as we are, forgives us completely, and empowers us to grow into who we’re meant to be.
