Religion and Ethics Forum

Religion and Ethics Discussion => Christian Topic => Topic started by: Humph Warden Bennett on April 26, 2016, 07:53:42 AM

Title: Confession
Post by: Humph Warden Bennett on April 26, 2016, 07:53:42 AM

Whilst on vacation, I visited a monastery, and found inside a local villager giving confession to a priest monk.

This struck me as a strange thing to do, since the monks do not live in the same "world" as do the majority of us, what advice could a monk offer, other than simply "more prayer"?

Anybody have any thoughts?

Title: Re: Confession
Post by: Brownie on April 26, 2016, 08:45:45 AM

I would have thought a listening ear was helpful, Humph.  The person wouldn't have gone to the monastic priest if he hadn't known him to be a kind and wise person.  At least he (or she) managed to get whatever it was off his chest and that can be very healing.

We don't know but the chances are the monk was well educated and maybe had a gift for counselling.  Monks in this country go out and about in the world and are often attached to parishes so they are used to mixing with people;  may not be the case with the ones in the village you mention.  Whatever, it's not really our business any more than, say, a neighbour of ours going to psychotherapy.  I hope it helped.

Title: Re: Confession
Post by: Alan Burns on April 26, 2016, 09:21:17 AM

Having had personal experience of going to confession in a monastery, I can assure you that monks are well equipped to offer the advice needed.  I am sure they have divine inspiration to say the right things.

Title: Re: Confession
Post by: Brownie on April 26, 2016, 09:41:39 AM

Yes and the wisdom to say nothing sometimes too.

Title: Re: Confession
Post by: Alan Burns on April 26, 2016, 09:55:43 AM

Quote from: Brownie on April 26, 2016, 09:41:39 AM

Yes and the wisdom to say nothing sometimes too.

I agree.
The act of going to confession does not always need a verbal reply.

Title: Re: Confession
Post by: ippy on April 26, 2016, 10:20:42 AM

Confession, wisdom?

Woweee! How impressive, what it must be to be so deep.

Ippy

Title: Re: Confession
Post by: Brownie on April 26, 2016, 10:30:23 AM

Would that we all were ipster.  Counselling, listening, gently guiding, are all gifts which some have and some don't.

Title: Re: Confession
Post by: ippy on April 26, 2016, 10:32:42 AM

Quote from: Brownie on April 26, 2016, 10:30:23 AM

Would that we all were ipster.  Counselling, listening, gently guiding, are all gifts which some have and some don't.

Pass.

ippy

Title: Re: Confession
Post by: Brownie on April 26, 2016, 11:22:39 AM

There are other gifts that are very important though, ippy.  It would be a dull word if we were all good at the same.

I bet you're good at cheering people up!  It's quite something to put a smile on someone else's face.

Title: Re: Confession
Post by: floo on April 26, 2016, 11:46:13 AM

Quote from: Alan Burns on April 26, 2016, 09:21:17 AM

Having had personal experience of going to confession in a monastery, I can assure you that monks are well equipped to offer the advice needed.  I am sure they have divine inspiration to say the right things.

I doubt it! ::)

Title: Re: Confession
Post by: horsethorn on April 26, 2016, 12:41:46 PM

To (slightly mis)quote a popular film...

He wasn't *born* a monk ;)

ht