It's embarrassing. . .

One of the reasons people sometimes give for not going to private confession is that it is embarrassing to say out loud your sins.  Guess what.  It IS embarrassing.  It is surely embarrassing to confess your private sins with someone else listening.  We have tried very hard to presume that sins are not that much of a problem and that sin is nobody's business but yours.  But it is still embarrassing.  That is not the worst of it, however.  The embarrassment lasts for a moment but the consequence of sin is eternal.  It is not the embarrassment that required Christ to become incarnate for nor is it the embarrassment for which He died.  Sin is a  much bigger problem than a little embarrassment.  You need to get your head wrapped around that. 

Pastors are seldom embarrassed by your sins (we have heard it all before and we have our own sins to confess).  Pastors are impressed with the courage of those who own their sins and name them before the pastor.  It demonstrates a deep and profound faith.  It means that you get that the problem with sin is far bigger than the embarrassment.  It means you know that sin is not some mere inconvenience to us but literally is the reason for death.  If you are afraid your pastor might be embarrassed by what you confess before him, you are letting a little thing get in the way of a big thing -- the comfort and consolation of absolution.

No, Lutherans do not have to go to confession.  We do not have to eat foods we enjoy or go places either.  But we do.  Confession is valuable because Christ is there forgiving the sins that we have trouble forgiving and leaving at the foot of the cross.  Confession is for all ages, too.  You are not too young to confess your sins and you are not too old.  Try it out.  Give it a chance.  Do not be stymied by the feelings of guilt or shame or embarrassment and skip something that is a real and blessed gift from God.  Confession is not something to admire but the most practical of blessings for our everyday life.  Yes, we confess our sins on Sunday morning but there the confession is sufficiently general as to make it easy not to name the sins that trouble our consciences.  In private confession we get to confess precisely those sins and the pastor pronounces clear and personal absolution.  And unlike a general absolution, the pastor speaks your name and applies the forgiveness to that particular sin.  

If embarrassment is the big impediment keeping you from the grace of this sacramental act, get over it.  Embarrassment is not the big problem with sin.  Besides, half the sins people are embarrassed about get broadcast over social media anyway.  Why would we be embarrassed about them within the context of private confession before the pastor when we seem unfazed by them on social media?  The problem with sin is not that it is secret but that its effects affect are not.  Honestly, if you have been thinking about trying private confession, why not go to your pastor and set up an appointment now.  He will be duly impressed with the seriousness of your faith and you will walk away with a new understanding of how grace works.  It is a blessing just waiting for YOU.