Beautiful Sacrament......

The first time for anything always brings on the nervousness and jitters. So it was no exception when it came time for my first confession, the Catholic way! The Sacrament of Penance, as it is also called , can be done as often as you like but most importantly, it has to be done at least twice a year ( during Lent and Advent). Having been baptised in Easter I was washed clean of all sins but now that Advent is here, I have to face the priest and confess my sins!!!
So 2 days ago Diane and I went for the Penitential Service. I started out pretty confident but i had my little worries and doubts so i called my dad as well as my god mum. They reassured me that its not as terrifying as i think! So we set out and arrived there. As people started to fill the church and everyone took their selected spots, we decided to go to our parish priest for confession. There were 20 priests scheduled to arrive that night and they slowly filled different parts of the church.
When it looked like the priest we had chosen was the favourite of everyone as well , we decided to change spots and go for a shorter line. Making our way upstairs we were told that that particular priest has to leave early rather unexpectedly. So we were ushered to another one on the right. As we waited, 3 more came in and again we were all asked if we wanted to go to anyone of them.

Diane and I picked the one who looked the kindest  (LOL) and made our way to the next pew. We were the 3rd and 4th in line. I started to dwell more seriously on what sins i had committed and how to phrase them when Diane made a startling discovery that the priest we were going to confess to is none other than the Archbishop of Malaysia!!!!! At that point she was like Oh dear, Mum, shall we shift to the next priest!??? I have to admit that for a second i too panicked! But then i pulled all my guts together (LOL) and decided that this is the 3rd time we had made a choice and 3 times is always a charm. I also thought it was definitely God's intention to put us here :) so we stayed on and hoped for the best !!
My turn came and like my god mum had taught me i went thru the steps 1,2 and 3, followed by my sins ( not that many ...phew!) and since the priest knew that it was my 1st time he led me thru the confession so beautifully. he gave me a little talk about how our Loving God is always merciful and will always pick us up and forgive us and he said it so remarkably well with so much passion that tears welled up in my eyes with emotion. After i was given my penance, the archbishop made me repeat the Act Of Contrition with him cuz i was not familiar with it yet! Like a child i repeated after him and then came the best part.... the Absolution, where Christ thru His priest, forgives you for all your sins. With a final blessing from the priest , i thanked him and went to the back of the church, knelt down and carried out my penance.
It was indeed a wonderful experience and with tears still in my eyes, my heart overcame with joy and I truly felt the love that Christ brings. It was a warm and peaceful moment I personally shared with God.
The Sacrament of penance , an outward sign on an inward grace, ..... truly beautiful!