17 Years Since Confession

Father McDougal was hearing confession. He knew it was meaningless. For one thing, he couldn't forgive sins. That was God’s doing. Secondly, the sins were all the same.”

“I told a lie. I cursed. I got drunk.” It was so routine McDougal could barely stay awake. He wasn't positive he didn't doze off a few times.

Then he's has to make things right with God. Most of them confessed their sins and, when they didn't, did the sin the same way.

“Of course you've sinned. Why else would you be here? Did you need a quiet place to nap?”

"It's been 17 years since my last confession. Boy, I don't know where to start?”

“At the least, you will remember the larger ones. God will fill in the rest.”

What! God will fill in the rest? How's that?

“Say, man, that's good. I feel better already. Okay. It started when I stole a car, rode around for a while, and then wrecked it. Then-”

“Wait, what happened then? Did you pay for the damages to the car?”

“The only reason I wrecked was because I was 10 and couldn't see much over the steering wheel. Besides, no one knew it was me. I didn't want to get into trouble with my old man. It was his car.”

“You wrecked your father's car and never told him?”Father McDougal said.

“Hell no! Oh, sorry, his yelling would make my ears ring. He also cussed a lot. I didn't tell at the time is what I meant. I did tell him after he had that stroke. He couldn't talk very well then, I wouldn't have had to listen to his yelling. He would have lost a fight too.”

It was quiet for a moment. Father McDougal had to squint through the screen to see the man sitting there. He asked the man about restitution. The man was silent for a while. It was as if he was thinking of leaving rather than talking to Father McDougal. McDougal had had th at happen a few times.

“Well, sure man. That was nearly 15 years ago and the car was old then. I guess I owe ten or fifteen bucks. I didn't wreck it too much.” Father McDougal knew right then and there it was going to be a long and hard confession. After absolution, this guy was going to do penance in shifts.

Father McDougal wished a certain thing had not been done by God.John 20:21 – He grants them the authority to forgive sins, Jesus says to the apostles, “As the Father sent me, so I send you.” As Christ was sent by the Father to forgive sins, so Christ sends the apostles and their successors to forgive sins.”

This put priests in a state of perplexity. There was no way to know if someone was using confession as a way out. Jesus put a big onus on priests. The fact that forgiveness doesn't save your soul it must have been a “feel good thing.”

“Father, are you still there.”

“Oh, sure. Please continue”. He thought he may well have dozed off.

“I robbed a bank once. I got caught so I turned in states' evidence and only served a year. I think those boys I partnered with will be after my ass, I mean butt, as soon as they get out. Helping the cops put them away is a good thing right?”

“I suppose it is. But, you did rob that bank. You did confess it to the police. So far, so good. Did you return the money?”

“Did I do what? I served a year for that money," he said.” why would I have to give i“t back now? Why should I have to get it back? I mean, bankers are worse thieves than me. Come on.”

“You can make restitution. That's how it works.”

There was another long silence. Then the confessor said, "That doesn't seem right. I did my time. This ain't what I expected to be honest with you. The bank charges enough interest they never lose money. That said I think I should be allowed to keep the money.”

“But it didn’t belong to you. You can’t make that argument. It wasn’t your money. It was the bank’s money,” Father McDougal said.

“Hmm. Does that mean I turned on my partners for nothing? I spent a year in prison for nothing?”

“No. It means you did the right thing but not enough ‘right thing.’ Now you can return the money and that would be enough.” Father knew this was going to be a real test.

The man told Father McDougal he hadn’t been in any trouble since he was 18. He was working in a supermarket as a bagger. It didn’t pay well. He decided to rob the place. He wore a mask for a disguise. He emptied the cash registers and ran to his car. He was pulling out as the cops were puling in. He had just made it. The clerks could only give a useless description of the robber. They did recognize his voice. The detectives went to his house and arrested him. The judge took in into consideration his age and him not having a record and let him out on probation.

He moved on to boosting cars. It was easy and never got caught until he stole the car of a rich man’s club’ He got away free and clear the first time. He made the mistake the second time. The club hired security. He was apprehended less than a mile away. The judge gave him 30 days and a warning. “The way you’re going you are going to spend time in prison. You don’t want that. Trust me, you’re a pretty boy and wouldn’t do well in prison.”

Then he met some fellows planning to rob a bank They had foolproof plan. They would rob the bank and only take the drawer money. One guy would wait and then drive up, they’d get in and get away.

“Uh, how’s that anything different?”

“Because won’t be hanging around to rob the vault. That’s what gets you caught.”

“Oh.”

“My son, you chose a way of life incompatible with the word of God.”

“Yea, I know. That’s why I’m here,” the man replied. Was this guy actually a priest? “Anyway, I gave them up and got a year. When they get out they will spend all their time looking for me. It would be ugly, there being 4 of them and 1 of me. It wouldn’t be the money so much. They’d know that was gone. It would be the prison time.”

“Son, I can absolve you if you promise to not commit any illegal things in the future”

“Umm, that might be tricky. Crime is all I know how to do.”

“Take up a trade.”

“Robbery is a trade. I’m just not too good at it. Well, nice talking to you. I’m late. The bank would be closed if I stayed here. See ya.”