I Confess Directly to God

Sermon delivered by Fr Mousa on Sunday, January 5, 2025
#Orthodox #Orthodoxy #Confession #Repentance #Spiritual #Spirituallife #Clarity

[@sasinin6]

Im a Roman Catholic girl. I go for confession in the last week of every month since last year. And that habit has made me a free person from so many evil things and addictions that i couldn't change by myself. Ture Confession is a deliverance . Jesus Christ acts through the priest as a loving advisor so i never needed a counselling service from another person. This priest explains it very clearly to the core of our hearts as i never heard before. ❤ 🙏

[@ChrisDowns-n4s]

Good girl God bless you I got a confession whenever I can maybe this guy should too

[@sasinin6]

@ChrisDowns-n4s God bless you

[@CyberCalvary]

😮 as a protestant, confession never made sense until just now 😢

[@richardounjian9270]

I'm glad you understand now. The Apostolic Church: Oriental, Orthodox, Catholic was established by Jesus. He keeps it in all truth whether you understand it or not. God bless

[@luvpamelanewton]

​@@richardounjian9270Pope saying all religions lead to God is false.

[@Dienekes678]

​@@luvpamelanewton Pope's opinions are fallible.

[@n.h6001]

@@richardounjian9270 you named 3 churches not in communion with one another. That is ecumenism and a heresy. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the true church with the fullness of the faith. The others are close but they have erred on certain dogmatic issues

[@richardounjian9270]

@@n.h6001 I was being gracious. If you prefer otherwise...

[@LyneDagg]

As a Roman Catholic, I find Orthodox priests deliver very good sermons..

[@mbrns8938]

Catholic priests also deliver very good sermons.

[@Mike-bn7kr]

I am a cradle Catholic and I think every Christian needs to hear this particular talk. One of the simplest understandings of the importance of confession I’ve heard in many years. Protestants, especially don’t understand confession, and this might help them have a greater understanding of the importance of confession to the priest.

[@ICXC890]

Man has Protestantism ruined me, I realised how much I was following my feelings and judging my neighbours and just having very false views like I use to think that as soon as I encounter Christ I will never sin again, or that I'm pleasing God when I'm pleased (when I feel God or have emotions for God)

[@FaithIsKey7]

I am Orthodox and this video is severely underrated. Thank you Fr Mousa, I have experienced the good things you mentioned towards the end of the video and believe you are helping a multitude of people with these teachings. God Bless you and protect you!

[@JesusChrist-rn6hl]

I am God.

[@littlecrispies]

Been attending Divine Liturgy the past few months please pray for me

[@ieshjust16]

Lord have mercy ☦️ 🙏🏽

[@Sudden-Death]

🙏 ❤❤❤

[@Prodigalsonofbyzantium]

This homyly is wonderful , glory to Jesus Christ, and please pray for me to come out of my sinful ways, brothers and sisters

[@JesusChrist-rn6hl]

I am God. You are guilty.

[@LadySerafima]

Lord have mercy on your servant. Forgive him of his sins and offenses.

[@Paul-w3f1y]

I'm a cradle Orthodox who after many years of being an unrepentant sinner returned to Orthodoxy at age 77. I confess to my priest only because that's the drill. I confess directly to God otherwise. At age 77 most of my sinning is long gone anyway.

[@peterfoenander6234]

And we get absolution in the name of JESUS CHRIST . THAT is the catholic way.

[@testingmysoup5678]

So you had your fun and now you want to confess? Do you regret your sins? Do you understand how they hurt you and others? Have you apologized? Did you ever try to change before you lost the ability to sin?

[@Paul-w3f1y]

@@testingmysoup5678 First of all it's none of your business. That being said the Lord Jesus Christ knows my story and my heart and THAT is what matters to me.

[@MrX_117]

Thank you for sharing your journey. Truly, God’s mercy and love are endless! It is a testament to His grace that He preserved you, waiting for the day His beloved child would return to Him. I am glad you have embraced repentance and turned back to Christ. In my own faith journey, I’ve found that confession to a priest profoundly aids in the process of theosis a sure and blessed way to grow closer to God and renew our hearts. Stay steadfast, my brother, and finish the race well. God bless you! ✝️❤️‍🔥☦️

[@Paul-w3f1y]

@@MrX_117 Thank You. I surrender.

[@R.C.425]

Cradle Catholic here; I love this video. More of my Catholic brothers and sisters need to see this video 😊

[@mariemiller8740]

Yes a lot said it "I go straight to God" No I go to priest I'm Catholic I go to Latin Mass now found it 14 years ago I love it.God bless

[@Mike-bn7kr]

I am also a cradle Catholic. This is the most amazing talk on confession. I’ve heard in many years. I would love to see some Catholics speak like this.

[@angelicavazquez6946]

Román Catholic here. One thing I must admit about the Orthodox (I've heard other sermons of theirs on Confession), they know how to explain and inspire someone to make a good Confession. Glory to God

[@MrTzarBomb]

The best analogy for the necessity of Confession I’ve ever seen. Fits perfectly with traditional Catholic theology.

[@knasfrashavre]

God bless you Father Me and my dad love your sermons. We are syriacs from Midyat Turkey, living in Sweden. May God grant us more spiritual fathers like you . Glory to Jesus Christ ☦️

[@JesusChrist-rn6hl]

I am God.

[@gelilamartinsen8596]

Amen!! Confession is very crucial activity that requires humility. It’s a relief to our souls, and hold us accountable, not to commit the same sins without thinking about it.

[@The335plyr]

Such an incredible teaching. Really makes me look forward to my first confession and helps put my fears at more of ease. Knowing the benefits far outweigh the temporary shame or embarrassment.

[@psychedelicpython]

I’m a traditional Roman Catholic. My husband was raised in the Baptist church and he’s not Catholic. My husband and I were married by a priest though. He said a person only has to confess to God and not a priest. I’ve had problems trying to explain to him why he is wrong about that. We’ve been married for several years and I’ve praying for his conversion.

[@monoergon]

Baptists are biblicists, which means you should show him some Bible verses, such as the ones the priest mentioned in this video.

[@mbrns8938]

By the way, the priest did not marry you. You married each other. The priest is just a witness from the Church, you minister the sacrament to each other and to God. In confession the priest ministers the sacrament of reconciliation to you. Confessing directly to God means there is no minister for one to receive the grace. Also, there is nothing in the bible about confessing sins directly to God, but there are verses about confessing sins to one another and the authority of ministers to forgive sins on behalf of God in Heaven.

[@augurcybernaut4785]

I am a committed PROTESTANT. But I have such a time communicating this effectively to brothers and sisters. The text still expresses confess sins to ONE ANOTHER. Another human. Directly to God is good but the text says confession requires another person.

[@lonniestoute8762]

And a wise Protestant you are. I pray your knowledge of Scripture continues to grow and that the Holy Spirit continue to guide you into all truth .

[@mbrns8938]

So do you confess your sins to others?

[@intermidable]

I confess my sins all the time, both to God and to the people in my life. No, I don't need some holier-than-thou priest to talk to God for me, I've got that direct connection all set. Jesus literally said "when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synongues and on the street corners to be seen by men. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your father who is unseen." I don't need your priesthood. And surely I say, there is absolutely nothing that I do or have done that I would not readily confess in front of the whole world, but I have confessed them to God myself, and that is enough.

[@lonniestoute8762]

@intermidable So you are calling the Priest in a closed confessional a hypocrite? Catholics literally go into a closet for confession. And your self interpretation of the Bible that the Catholics gave you is lacking when it comes to why we confess with a Priest. I mean it's great when you confess before God and maybe a friend , that's a good thing . But you quoting some scriptures and twisting them to fit your narrative is just plain prideful.

[@intermidable]

@lonniestoute8762 what am I twisting? Jesus repeated over and over and over and over again that my relationship with Him is between me and Him. Over and over and over again, I am told that my personal relationship with Christ is the whole point. What am I missing?

[@barronpierce8699]

Amazing sermon, can i just say though, God has been seeing me fall into sin since i have been able to sin. I feel that God knows me and what i struggle with more than any other human (including myself). Not that God is not real to me just that he knows me so completely while humans can only know so much about each other and then have to infer other things about the rest. All this being said i do think confession is good and right but just wanted to write this in case anyone has some critique or light to shed that they think would help me grow in wisdom and understanding.

[@williamwhite6867]

We are meant to confess to our brothers, to hold each other accountable and keep each other on the narrow path

[@synthesaurus]

It’s too bad you weren’t available to give counsel to St John Chrysostom 😢

[@williamwhite6867]

@ read 1 Peter. I am not a teacher, do not believe me brother. Jesus calls us to hold our brothers accountable and to hold ourselves accountable to our brothers. It’s not my counsel. Many will fall away from the narrow path brother, many. We must do what we can to persevere I myself refuse the devil his lament ❤️ My King is Jesus Selah The Epistle of James, read that also.

[@synthesaurus]

@ ​​⁠ confessing to trusted brothers is also a good thing. But remember others are not obliged to keep your confession in secret… you see how many problems arise

[@synthesaurus]

@ One knows His existence and presence and another doesn’t. No proof is going to work for the latter.

[@williamwhite6867]

I understand. Believe me I do. The church is full of hypocrites, but does that mean we should not attend.

[@bethsalem5575]

Thank you Fr. I teach high school Sunday School and I very often play your sermons for them and base my lessons off of your words. ☦️

[@peacecrafttrue]

I want to go to confession but I do not have any way to get to the nearest parish until I get my truck fixed. I miss divine liturgy so much, but I'm getting no calls back on jobs. I feel lost, I don't know what to do about it but be patient and keep trying. It's been 18 years since I've had a confession, I need it bad.

[@reneeb622]

You don’t need to go anywhere to confess your sins. We should confess them directly to God. 1 John 2:1 states, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”. 1 Timothy 2:5 states, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” Jesus is the mediator and there is no need for human mediator. You won’t find any Bible verse teaching otherwise. Orthodox church tradition teaches otherwise. Mark 7:7-9 states, “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”

[@CoachNoahDavid]

I would encourage you to seek confession with someone possibly over the phone, or maybe someone would be willing to go to you if you get ahold of a parish anywhere around your area. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. Keep trying and keep praying until something happens! God will not fail you ❤️

[@CoachNoahDavid]

@ I understand your perception of confession and I have felt this way. There is also scripture that supports confession between one another… “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” ‭‭James‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

[@elusivemayfly7534]

I will pray for you, Peace ❤ I know your parish would accommodate you. Give them a call or email them. I guarantee you are not alone in this situation, and they have a protocol for it. They will be glad you asked! God bless you

[@1angryscotsman]

You live near Temecula, southern California? I'll drive ya

[@GuitarJesse7]

Thank you Fr. Mousa, that was a good word. The sacrament of Confession is newer to me as a convert from evangelicalism. It has been good and helps me to not only reflect more on my sins, but also makes me want to truly grow in Christ’s likeness and not keep confessing the same thing every time 😂

[@paulocarvalho8651]

Thank you Fr Mousa! You took my understanding of confession to a new level 🙏

[@rosscaruso1628]

Please pray for me. I am both involved the Catholic church and in the prostestant world, mainly non- denominational. Please pray for me because satan is trying to destroy me by spreading me too thin in all the divisions of the body of Christ. My hearts desire is that we would all be one church but my heart is broken because we are all spread out. This sermon is SO powerful! Thank you Father!

[@IreneuszCzech]

🙏

[@dylanarmour6727]

Well buddy that’s a miracle only God can do. St Benedict taught stability of life so in my humble opinion it would be wise to commit to one community and make visiting others a special occasion with a special mission. We are supposed to be rooted close to our bishop and our priest/parish

[@ssavv-s21s]

Amazing sermon Father, hope many can see this video it’s very helpful🙏☦️❤️

[@MariaPerez-oq5wl]

God bless His faithful servant. Thank you Father

[@CarmelZJ]

Thanks Fr. One of the best sermons about confession simple and precise .

[@Iron_Space]

WISDOM LET US BE ATTENTIVE

[@mariebahnan2309]

Thank you father God bless you 🙏🙏🙏❤

[@Infinite_Alpha_Omega]

Amen 🙏 Amen 🙏 Amen 🙏

[@cehson]

Very well explained. When i do something sinfull, i beg God to forgive me, and then i repeat it to the priest of the Lord in confesion. Flawed in every way shape and form, but by grace of God i get to confesion once a month, and will do that to my end of ends, if Lord provides me strenght and grace.

[@JohnPaul-sn3jt]

❤

[@christiantheo1]

Good homily thanks fr

[@HEYDUDEITSTONY]

Father cooked with that first story!

[@JesusChrist-rn6hl]

I am God.

[@screamotraplord]

Wow just wow 🤯

[@crowlikemadness]

Thank you, Father/ ☦🛐

[@PROVEIT2]

For what?

[@crowlikemadness]

@@PROVEIT2?

[@vasilikirompotinos4268]

So much truth to this amen❤

[@MxVenator]

Wonderful guidance!

[@kellylindholm6871]

Thank you. I'm going to share your story to others. The first 2 minutes. Great example. Glory to God!

[@estcado]

Truth ❤

[@GoEastYoungOnes]

This is helpful. Thank you Father

[@littlecrispies]

Thank you 🖤

[@ninaki888]

Thank you! 🙏🏽

[@hamzah6251]

thank you for sharing this video!

[@dugga4617]

This was epic

[@PROVEIT2]

It's a shame it had no truth to it.

[@dugga4617]

Your statement has no truth to it

[@PROVEIT2]

@"Your statement has no truth to it" With out using the bible what evidence can you offer to prove god exists? Good luck.

[@dugga4617]

@@PROVEIT2the fact that men of God like Polycarp, Ignatius, Iraneus carried on the tradition from the apostles. These men were literally alive while the apostle John was still alive. Polycarp sat under his teaching. Ignatius was torn apart by lions for the name of Jesus. The church literally exploded even throughout persecution…what will you say mr prove it?! That’s the tradition of men?! How do you think we got the Bible sir?! Did it fall out of heaven?? No … tradition

[@PROVEIT2]

Hello? Why did you go silent my friend? was it something I said?

[@mariannell]

Hello from Greece... Nice sermon, Father. Thank you. Pray for us...

[@Visigoth_]

Kids are a precious gift from God, that said; that kid's parents need to be responsible and deal with their child (if they can't get them to settle down "which is asking a lot of a young child," then they need to quietly step out and deal with it.).

[@tinakarras7571]

What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life? How does the Holy Spirit enable us to live a Christian life? What are the attributes of the Holy Spirit? What is Baptismal in the Holy Spirit?

[@LadySerafima]

I would recommend the reading Aquisition of the Holy Spirit by St. Seraphim of Sarov. The blessed father speaks in a humble and simple way that flows to your heart and brings understanding of the aim of the Christian life.. which is obtaining Holy Spirit.

[@Jasiel.95]

Excellent!

[@TheKidneyAndTheStone]

People have been trusting alot in man. You must trust in God. What if you have a church that doesn't welcome you. So I confess to God a Roman catholic priest told me that is possible when you can't get a priest. The priest these days take no time for their flock anymore. They don't give enough time for confession. You have sometimes 3 to 400 people they rush you through in a hour and a half. They don't give you time to speak to him. When I confess to God I have all the time I need. I need not to rush. Some people going to confession are told to come back next week. That's not right. We need priests like Benedict and Padre Pio. They took care of their sheep. If you try to make a appointment for a confession. They sometimes act as your stealing from them.

[@Violivios]

Padre Pio said that people should go to confession daily if possible.

[@PROVEIT2]

What god are you trusting in and how can you prove he is real?

[@TheKidneyAndTheStone]

@PROVEIT2 I'm not trusting in any god I'm trusting in God. Little g and big G make a difference.

[@PROVEIT2]

@" I'm not trusting in any..." You seemed to have left out the part in your comment for when I asked for proof.

[@TheKidneyAndTheStone]

I don't have to prove nothing to you

[@luvpamelanewton]

Nice. He said repent.

[@lesscommonsense1804]

What if we have more Faith in God than men? Is asking God for forgiveness and forgiving others their transgressions against us enough? For if we forgive others we are promised forgiveness (Matthew 6:14-15). I’d rather put my life in the hands of Christ for we find consolation that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

[@mbrns8938]

"Confess directly to God" said no one in scripture

[@emanuelwäsström]

Father bless, Important, and strongly reminding, could this sort of faith in the Religion of Christ be brought (back?) into the protestant-lutheran church?

[@DonVoyage6948]

Good luck with that

[@KELLYNOC]

FYI ALL CATHOLICS WHO MAKE A GOOD CONFESSION ARE CONFESSING TO GOD.

[@QuintenBakels]

what if the presence of the church in the country is so small you can never talk to a priest cause they have 6000 parishioners each and none of the eligible young lay theologians are being ordained?

[@userPs91victory]

I am Catholic and I am enjoying the most Holy Sermon ever. Thank you so much Father. I would love 💕 to visit your Church. Where is it located please? God bless you abundantly for this awesome Sermon

[@stmaryoc]

6330 W 127th St, Palos Heights, IL 60463

[@Jumper-hk4bb]

who is our High Priest ? ✝️

[@SecretCervix]

True

[@LonelyReject]

It works perfectly to confess to God. You don't need a priest or a saint as Jesus is our intercessor.

[@LegitimateMan]

Nah, i disagree, confessing to God leads you to become atheist and not care

[@LonelyReject]

@LegitimateMan so false and ignorant.

[@LegitimateMan]

@@LonelyReject I was raised Protestant and I can attest. No one should be a Protestant it’s just cheapening the reality of God.

[@atgred]

How do we really reconcile with God? 2 Cor. 2:10 (confession-in persona christi) “For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be OBEDIENT in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes FORGAVE I it *IN THE PERSON OF CHRIST* ” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬-‭20 “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and *HATH GIVEN US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION;* To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; *AND HATH COMMITTED UNTO US THE WORD OF RECONCILIATION.* Now then we are *AMBASSADORS* for Christ, as though God did beseech you *BY US:* we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” All of this is possible only because Christ commands it in John 20:23 TO THE APOSTLES AND THEIR SUCCESSORS (Acts 1:21-26, 1 Tim. 4:14, 1 Tim. 5:22).

[@MichaelDamian-h4s]

They had confession booths when Jesus was spreading the gospel?

[@gailcarey3597]

Why then was the veil torn if not to allow us to approach God in confession without the Levitical priest?

[@LadySerafima]

We are approaching God, with the Priest as a witness and one who has the ability to forgive sins through the power of Christ. Before, only the priest could be in God's presence. Now that the veil has been torn, we through Christ, are able to be in the presence of Christ. An example is when we pray, we are in commune of God, when we confess we are in the presence of Christ, when we take communion we are in the presence of Christ. I hope this helps, my brother, please ask your spiritual father for more details as I am just a layman.

[@JE-western-rider]

There is no reason for me to confess to a priest. > Romans 8:34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. > Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

[@ieshjust16]

So you skipped over the verses that says confess your sins to one another...

[@Lotterywinnerify]

@@ieshjust16 Yes it says one another, not the priest and only the priest

[@ieshjust16]

@@Lotterywinnerify And that includes the priest.

[@Lotterywinnerify]

@@ieshjust16 Sure. Never said it didn't.

[@Kyne493]

If my father is the head of the home, cant I just confess to him? Why do I need a priest specifically?

[@alohi_xiengboree]

As a non-Orthodox, what steps should I take for confession?

[@OrthodoxChristian27]

Become Orthodox so you can take confession. In the meantime, pray to God to help you.

[@louiiks6292]

Go to your local orthodox church to find out

[@liquidh5226]

You can not confess in an Orthodox church without being a member of the Church. I mean by means of baptism or chrismation.

[@OrthodoxChristian27]

@ you can confess your sins to an Orthodox Priest, it’s just the prayer of absolution will not be read unless you’ve been baptized or chrismated(preferably baptized and chrismated) into the Orthodox Church.

[@billkanelopoulos7165]

Find a orthodox priest/church near you and ask for a confession He should guide you through the process

[@PROVEIT2]

After your confession how does your god respond? is it with words or is it an impression you feel or is he silent? Either way how can you demonstrate that he actually is listening?

[@SeaAndCities]

Feeling of easiness and peace after resolution prayer of the priest.

[@PROVEIT2]

@"Feeling of easiness and peace after..." This is exactly how I feel after working out. Regardless you still haven't proved it was god that "eased" your feelings.

[@Snougaloogie]

​@@PROVEIT2not proof to your standard of satisfaction. God could drop in front of you and slap you across the face and it wouldn't be to your satisfaction

[@MatthewMetanoia]

I'm a default settings Protestant. No Baptist or Calvinists premium membership. And yes, we should confess our sins one to another and pray for each other. That says nothing about confessing to ordained Eastern Orthodox priests only or your confession is invalid. And there are no scriptures like that.

[@saenttor]

The Priest explained this, God gave only the apostles the power to forgive sins, and that authority goes down through apostolic succession… Also you can confess your sins to one another if that works for you… others prefer to receive absolution and certainly through the sacrament of reconciliation in the Catholic or Orthodox Church

[@saenttor]

We can try to solve our mental issues ourselves or with help from family, but it’s always better to go to a therapist…

[@izykmusic]

R/woooosh

[@MatthewMetanoia]

​@@saenttorThat seems reasonable as long as the priest also confesses his sins back. Because James 5 is definitely not talking about one-way confession exclusively to an Eastern Orthodox, Assyrian, Oriental, Roman Catholic or any other priest. That is no where in the Bible or he would have shared it. And I did watch the whole video. And he also mentioned John 20 where Jesus is talking to his disciples about "whosoever sins ye remit". Again, this proves nothing about his claims of exclusivity.

[@JE-western-rider]

@@saenttor Somewhere in the Book of Romans We confess to Christ and He will forgive us ..... Someplace in the Gospel of John, Know me, know my father, my father and I are one. Another verse ....There is no way to the Father except thorough Me.

[@christinelivebird]

Where did Jesus say that? John 20:23 disputes what your human understanding is of confession of sins. He gave authority to the church. The Catholic Church started by him and the first pope Peter. That’s just the truth and that’s it. We will all see it one day before God

[@JE-western-rider]

Acts 10:43-44, when Peter was sharing the gospel, he said, “Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.