Comments on: Fr. Meletios Webber on Confession

By: jamesthethickheaded

jamesthethickheaded — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:53:26 +0000

Alexander:

Thanks you for visiting and your kind words. I assure you there is less here than you think. Today’s confession was… as always.. more excruciating in anticipation… right through the end. And as for the end… I’m not sure there is one.

And a Happy and glorious Pascha to you as well!

By: Alexander Patico

Alexander Patico — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:11:40 +0000

Thickheaded James,

I agree ~ your commentary had the scent of honesty and the flavor or humor — not often those two come together, fer sher. Having now discovered Veni Vidi Credidi, I will look forward to delving into its other posts (pretty sure already that, as with a book by a great new author, I’ll be trying not to go too fast, so I don’t come to the end of the series…). May I wish you a glorious Pascha (after an absolutely exhausting confession, of course).

By: s-p

s-p — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 02:01:03 +0000

Yep. An “anti-cleric” in a robe is a non-sequitur. But as a priest pointed out to me recently, sometimes clergy conflate their priesthood/office with their “selves” and any criticism of their actions becomes to them a criticism of the priesthood. Its a tough calling, for sure. You’d think they painted bulls-eyes on the back of the robes.

By: jamesthethickheaded

jamesthethickheaded — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:13:28 +0000

Ah… I’m actually pro-cleric… I mean, I’m really glad someone wants the job, and is willing to stand in that place…. catching all the slings and arrows and whatnot. One might be hard pressed in my mind to make a case that a Sub-Deacon or a doggone (asleep at the switch) acolyte is anti-clerical… but I’m sure it’s not unheard of. For my bit, … I think the most pernicious anti-clericalism doesn’t lie in words… even if they sting… but in not stepping up to help where or when needed.

By: s-p

s-p — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:56:52 +0000

ROTFL! I can imagine what people out in the nave wondering what the heck is going on up there… I think a couple of layfolk should get together with all the priests and tell them stuff like this, actually. Just say, “You know guys, we’re not buying your “clairvoyant elder” schtick. Your absolution is what is guaranteed by the “grace of the priesthood” not your wisdom, let’s stick with the sure thing, OK? If I want advice, I’ll ask. Its CONFESSION, not Dear Abby.”
But then we might be thought of as anti-clerics. Its so hard to be humble…why can’t I just go to confession and ignore the guy under the robe and accept the grace? sigh….

By: jamesthethickheaded

jamesthethickheaded — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 01:56:53 +0000

Steve:

Thanks for the post. Love the comment. And y’know when you think of it….it’s on the mark. Why can’t the priest just say,

“Hey hang in there, man. Doin’ a great job. No really. Don’t be hard on yourself. Okay. Just kidding. Really… wait… I think we might have a problem…I mean, whoah! seriously…. the lie dietector’s goin’ off all over the place man… sheesh… what’d you do man? Wow. Oh boy, I’m gonna have to call the bishop….”

Or maybe he ought to run a patter like the catcher behind home plate, treating each confessed sin as a pitch. So that while you’re running through the list, he’s going,

“C’mon… pitch it right in here… I can take it… throw the heat… throw the heat… awwwwww.. Wide.”
“Ball one!”
“That’s okay. We’re gonna get the next one.. gonna get the next one… here it comes…here it comes… awwwwwwwwwww. Sheesh!”
“Ball two!”
” Thought we had it there. Thought we had it. Okay this time we get it…. give it to me now.. y’know what I mean…. c’mon baby… gimme the heat…. awright! ”
“Steeee-RIKE!”
“That’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout… that’s what we want… okay let’s do it agin.. c’mon baby… c’mon…. ”

‘Course it could be kind of confusing when he yells “Stee-rike Three!” to know whether it means you’re done….even if you’re not… or he’s gettng ready to call down the thunder and lightning bolts.

Anyway… if you don’t prefer these options, perhaps the priest could do something else with his time…. like tie and retie his shoes, work out his number for Keeno, work the NY Times crossword puzzle, or…. gosh… even pray or something. Probably a good thing I don’t teach “pastoral care” at seminary, huh?

By: s-p

s-p — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:50:36 +0000

Yep. After 10 years, I can give you the intellectual answers about confession, but practicing it is still weird and hard even being raised RC. I still have this goofy notion that the priest I confess to should either be able to give me good counsel (which I judge from what I see of him outside the confessional), or just shut up and pray the prayers. The ones least “qualified” in my estimation are often the ones who won’t shut up in confession and by the time its over I need to go to confession again because of my attitude. sigh….

By: jamesthethickheaded

jamesthethickheaded — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:35:13 +0000

Thanks for stopping by and your kindness…misguided as it is. I’m not sure why I’m blogging… but it’s not about awards. More like…. uh… well.. answering a question or two about how I found myself inside this Church… and why I’m happy not being able to find the door back outside. If only I could put my finger on it…. I’d be done. But for now…

By: Joseph

Joseph — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:38:52 +0000

Let me say that you managed to get me to read a post over 5 paragraphs long. I tend to stick to the pre-collegiate principle of the 5 paragraph limit for a good paper. If it’s longer than that I click to the next post as a general habit, but I found myself incapable of doing so here. Your honesty was refreshing as was the fact that you didn’t substitute flowery speech for real insight. The quoted text was wonderful.
I’m rather awful at confession. The act of standing before an icon is not at all difficult for me, but the preparation and recitation of my failures is nerve-wracking.
I’ve no doubt someone will put you in the running for an Eastern Christian Blog Award, but should that injustice occur I will submit you for an award myself!

http://ecawards.blogspot.com