"I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I know my transgressions."

Ch. 13 #1

Manasseh became king after his father, the good king Hezekiah, died. Manasseh was a wicked kind and quickly reversed all the reforms his father has set in place. He set up pagan altars, defile the Temple of God, and even persecuted God’s faithful. When the Assyrians attacked, why did Manasseh finally turn to God? How did God respond? What sacrament can this story be related to? How does this story show how the sacrament is of great importance?

As he was being dragged away by the Assyrians, Manasseh finally humbled himself and turned to God for help. When all his power was taken from him and he was in great distress, he realized that he was nothing. When he had been defeated by the great Assyrians he humbled himself, realized all the wrong he had done and turned to God for forgiveness. After he saw how he had offended God by leading Jerusalem astray Manasseh called out to the Lord, offered supplication and God heard him.

God did not ignore Manasseh’s desperate call. God responded by letting Manasseh come back to rule his kingdom. By the time Manasseh returned to Jerusalem he was totally changed. Before is conversion he built up pagan altars, encouraged foreign cults, and defiled the Temple. After he realized that the Lord was God he got rid of the pagan altars and cults. In the Temple he offered sacrifices of thanksgiving to make up for his actions.

This sacrament that relates to the story of Manasseh is confession. He committed grave sins, he acknowledged it and asked God for forgiveness. Like in confession we realize we have offended God and ask him for forgiveness. Confession is our first step in making our way back to God. By Manasseh’s desire to change his old ways he is making an effort to build his relationship with God. Like in confession as soon as we repent from our sins and we are honestly sorry for our sins God forgives us, just as God forgave Manasseh. Also as we are given penance by the priest, Manasseh offered sacrifices of thanksgiving as a form of penance.

This story shows us just how important confession is. Without asking God for forgiveness Manasseh would never have turned around. God is all loving and willing to forgive any sins we commit as long as we have a contrite heart. We need confession to realize that we have a chance to start new. God gave Manasseh a new start even though he made God’s chosen people suffer and stray from God. We need to realize that with God will forgive us any of our transgressions.