Confession and Receiving Communion

[JFonseka]

I am Catholic, but I never fully understood why I HAVE to go for confession, can someone explain this to me? Why can’t I just confess by myself to God. Why should I not receive communion if I have not confessed mortal sins?

Thanks in advance for any explanations.

God Bless.

 

[baltobetsy]

The simple reason is that Jesus gave us the sacraments because He wants us to use them.

To go a little deeper, mortal sin kills the life of Christ in your soul - you are spiritually dead. The Holy Eucharist is the food for the soul, and food cannot nourish a dead person. There are two sacraments that give life to a dead soul, Baptism and Reconciliation (Penance, Confession). Baptism can only be received once. For mortal sins committed after Baptism, the only way to revive the soul so it can benefit from the other sacraments is to go to Confession.

Someone will surely provide chapter and verse for St. Paul’s warning that to receive Communion unworthily is to eat and drink condemnation upon oneself.

People who ask questions such as yours are often asking because they are hesitant to go to Confession for some reason. They are sometimes afraid that telling their sins to the priest will cause the priest to think less of them, that the priest will be shocked and yell at them, or some other negative thing. I assure you, as one who has confessed some really shameful things, that the priest (1) has heard everything and will not be shocked, (2) only wants to encourage you and welcome you back and will not yell at you, (3) is bound by the seal of confession not to mention your sins to anyone, ever, including yourself, and (4) promptly forgets what sins he has heard.

Additionally, the graces you receive from confessing and being forgiven are amazing. You are restored to the friendship of God, with no doubts at all, such as you might have if you tried to be sorry enough by yourself. In order to have mortal sins forgiven before confessing them, you must have perfect contrition, that is, sorrow because you have offended the good God, not for any human motive, such as fear of hell. In confession, imperfect contrition is quite enough. If your contrition refers to God in any way at all, including fear, that’s good enough for absolution to work. Also, you receive specific help (grace) to conquer the sins you confess by name. What could be better?

It’s Saturday - why not go to Confession today? Here’s a nice Examination of Conscience to help you out.

Betsy

 

[JFonseka]

Thanks a lot for clearing that up for me!! I went to confession about 2 months ago, and before that it was 5 years, I probably am in a state of mortal sin…and I never really knew why I wasn’t allowed to receive communion while in a state of mortal sin, and I know I have been receiving communion, well it’s Sunday here for me, which means I can’t go for confession until another 6 days, at least I will remember not to go receive communion this time until I have gone for confession! Thanks a lot.

By the way, I wasn’t really scared to go to the priest, I know he is not going to yell at me, it’s just that other people from other denominations kept saying it doesn’t state in the Bible we need to go for confession, but I understand why now. Thanks!

Praise be to God

God Bless

 

[baltobetsy]

By the way, I wasn’t really scared to go to the priest, I know he is not going to yell at me, it’s just that other people from other denominations kept saying it doesn’t state in the Bible we need to go for confession, but I understand why now. Thanks!

You’re welcome!

Remind your friends from the other denominations that Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Penance on Easter night when he passed through the door of the upper room where the apostles gathered and told them, “Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven; whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.”

Betsy

 

[Chancellare]

By the way, I wasn’t really scared to go to the priest, I know he is not going to yell at me, it’s just that other people from other denominations kept saying it doesn’t state in the Bible we need to go for confession, but I understand why now. Thanks!

Praise be to God

God Bless

The Sacrament of Confession and the forgiveness of sins by the priestly office are bible-based. Christ instructed the Apostles: “whatever sins you forgive on earth shall be loosed in heaven…”. If there was no confession, how could the Apostles forgive those sins?

 

[Seatuck]

The Bible does show why we go to a Priest for confession. Because Jesus gave the power to forgive sins to the Apostles.He also gave them the power to bind and loose.

catholic.com/library/Forgiveness_of_Sins.asp

 

[thomasf]

The thing that always springs to mind when someone says “I can just confess my sins straight to God by myself” is “Yes, but you don’t have the power to absolve yourself like a priest does.” Although, I do believe some people believe they do.

 

[latinmasslover]

I am always reminded of the Saints, who confessed quite regularly. St. Pio said not to let one week go by without confessing your sins, and the Saints confessed often, weekly, sometimes more. It’s not just a place to be forgiven of mortal sins, but to receive specific graces that aren’t available anywhere else. Besides, the devil doesn’t like it. Need I say more.