Not too long ago I was in the lineup.

It had nothing to do with being picked out of a crowd at the police station for committing a crime. I was in line for the sacrament of reconciliation at a nearby parish.

People had lined up along the wall before the confessional. While in line you do sort of feel like a convicted criminal, holding the prison number in front of your chest while being photographed. And in a certain sense you are a criminal — you have committed a crime against God or neighbor.

Like everyone else, I like it when the line is short. I prefer not to wait. At the same time, I am sad when the line is short. Why? Because I think more people would benefit by availing themselves of this great sacrament.

When I was a teenager, my mother would announce at least a couple of times a year that “we” were going to confession. I didn’t particularly like the “we” part. After all, I was your typical rebellious teenager. But, then again, how could I possibly win out against my Italian mother? So I would go, albeit reluctantly.

Once in church, I would start to think about what I could have possibly done wrong over the past several months. I knew I would feel embarrassed to tell the priest my sins, even though I hadn’t been embarrassed when I committed them in front of God.

I remember coming out of confession feeling as if a weight had been lifted from me. And indeed it had. The burden of my sins was lifted off me by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. Why had I carried this burden so long? It seems the longer I put off going to this sacrament, the harder it was to go. Now why would that be?

In reflecting on this, I believe it is similar to exercising. A body in motion wants to stay in motion. A body at rest wants to stay at rest. The hardest part of working out is always getting started. But, once you start, you don’t want to stop. So, too, with confession.

Also, I have more than once heard the objection, “Why do I have to tell my sins to a priest? Why can’t I confess my sins straight to God?” I always remind such objectors of Jesus’ words to his apostles after the resurrection: “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained” (John 20:22-23).

Jesus decided this was the way he ordinarily wanted it done. And he would know what’s best for us. After all, he created us.

Now, we know that we are only required to go to this sacrament when we’re aware of having committed mortal sin. But why wait? Why not do a little preventive maintenance?

This sacrament helps me to periodically examine my actions, strive to overcome at least one shortcoming and receive God’s grace to do soldier on as a disciple of Christ. At times, the priest offers some helpful advice to avoid sin or grow in virtue. By going often, I’ve come to look forward to confession. I no longer dread it, as I once did.

There is so much that can be said about this great sacrament. One must-read is the Catechism, in the section headed “The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.”

You might even bring it with you to your next confession. If there’s a long line, you can grow in the virtue of patience even as you grow in your understanding of a very great sacrament.

Brother John Raymond

is co-founder

of the Community of the Monks of Adoration

in Venice, Florida.