Confession question

[autumn111]

Hello, I’m an “old” woman but a new Catholic and I have a question.

I have sinned but it will be a few days before I can get to confession although I have asked for forgiveness in my prayers. The question: Will God still hear my prayes and answer me before I get to confession? This may seem silly and naive but I really need to know.

Thank You

 

[thistle]

Hello, I’m an “old” woman but a new Catholic and I have a question.

I have sinned but it will be a few days before I can get to confession although I have asked for forgiveness in my prayers. The question: Will God still hear my prayes and answer me before I get to confession? This may seem silly and naive but I really need to know.

Thank You

What do you mean when you ask if God will answer you before you get to Confession.

 

[autumn111]

Someone told me until I get to confession there is no point saying my daily prayers or praying for others because God wouldn’t hear me.

 

[Bookcat]

The grace of perfect contrition (out of love of God) …such as in your prayers can yes even bring about forgiveness of a mortal sin prior to confession. Such includes the firm resolution to get to confession as soon as possible (within reason of course). (see Catechism 1452-1453) One still needs to wait til confession before receiving Holy Communion.

But venial sins which is more our daily experience can be forgiven in many ways…via prayer, an act of contrition, praying the Our Father …receiving Jesus in Holy Communion etc… for venial sins need not be confessed (though it is very good to do so at least with some of them!). Let us pray daily…“forgive us our trespasses…”

 

[Bookcat]

Someone told me until I get to confession there is no point saying my daily prayers or praying for others because God wouldn’t hear me.

Such would not be correct. Pray! Even if you murdered someone!

As Jesus teaches us …it is sick who need the physician …

Draw close to him…seek him …

He is the Good Shepherd!

 

[autumn111]

Thank You! You have helped me so much.

 

[bobballen_18]

…for venial sins need not be confessed…QUOTE]

 

[bobballen_18]

…Oops… here you go:

“for venial sins need not be confessed…”

I’m not sure if that’s correct. It is true that we may still receive Communion with venial sins on our soul (not having been to Confession, I mean), but that doesn’t mean that even if you are perfectly sorry for having sinned, you don’t have to confess those sins. You should confess all of your sins that you can remember when you receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation - otherwise, you have not been absolved of all of your sins. I am sure God accepts your (hopefully perfect) contrition, but I am quite sure that is not sufficient. IMHO, not confessing leads in the direction of Protestant teaching, which is, if I am not mistaken, as long as you are sorry, you’re fine.

If someone believes that I am incorrect, please correct me and provide sources that prove me incorrect.

Thanks and God bless!

 

[Bookcat]

…Oops… here you go:

“for venial sins need not be confessed…”

I’m not sure if that’s correct. It is true that we may still receive Communion with venial sins on our soul (not having been to Confession, I mean), but that doesn’t mean that even if you are perfectly sorry for having sinned, you don’t have to confess those sins. You should confess all of your sins that you can remember when you receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation - otherwise, you have not been absolved of all of your sins.

Such is the case with “mortal sins” not venial sins.

 

[Bookcat]

If someone believes that I am incorrect, please correct me and provide sources that prove me incorrect.

Thanks and God bless!

Catechism:

1456 Confession to a priest is an essential part of the sacrament of Penance: "All mortal sins of which penitents after a diligent self-examination are conscious must be recounted by them in confession, even if they are most secret and have been committed against the last two precepts of the Decalogue; for these sins sometimes wound the soul more grievously and are more dangerous than those which are committed openly."54

1458 Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.59 Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful:60

1436 Eucharist and Penance. Daily conversion and penance find their source and nourishment in the Eucharist, for in it is made present the sacrifice of Christ which has reconciled us with God. Through the Eucharist those who live from the life of Christ are fed and strengthened. "It is a remedy to free us from our daily faults and to preserve us from mortal sins."35

1437 Reading Sacred Scripture, praying the Liturgy of the Hours and the Our Father - every sincere act of worship or devotion revives the spirit of conversion and repentance within us and contributes to the forgiveness of our sins.

 

[paperwight66]

Indeed. See Canon Law 989 and others.

 

[Garyjohn2]

God ALWAYS hears our prayers.
Pray for whoever says otherwise.

 

[John_oxios]

Such is the case with “mortal sins” not venial sins.

 So @ what point is it that we don't really have to confess,   And what is the reference or teaching of the Church that backs up your opinion?

All knowledgeable sin must be confessed… sometimes we wrong a person and do not become aware til later? We do receive a absolution for venial sin @ the beginning of the Mass in preparation of receiving Communion… but that does not eliminate the need to confess that sin, God grants the penitent "pardon and peace through His priest, to return us to a state of grace.

God knows our sins, [all sins are against God, not others CCC# 1440] but he wants us to recognize them, it’s telling on ourselves, admitting our sin, in the hope of not repeating again. If we keep the little secret whats to prevent us from continuing them. Can we loose our own sins? Like the foxhole prayer, “God, get me out of this and I’ll never do it again” How many of us find ourselves back in that same hole?

Interior penance Fasting, giving to the poor. prayer, reading and studying Scripture and every act Worship and devotion revives the spirit of conversion and repentance of our sins. We have to declare ourselves guilty before Our Father and journey back, to be received.

Little sins? Yes biblically thee is a distinction,

1Jo 5:17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal.

Venial sin entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures which must be purified here on Earth or after death CCC #1472]

The problem with sin is the more you get away with it the less you hink of the consequences and can become callous to it. Sin hardens our hearts

CCC #1458 Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful:

Whoever confesses his sins . . . is already working with God. God indicts your sins; if you also indict them, you are joined with God. Man and sinner are, so to speak, two realities: when you hear “man” - this is what God has made; when you hear “sinner” - this is what man himself has made. Destroy what you have made, so that God may save what he has made .… When you begin to abhor what you have made, it is then that your good works are beginning, since you are accusing yourself of your evil works. The beginning of good works is the confession of evil works. You do the truth and come to the light

Sin will take you farther than you’re willing to go,
Sin will keep you longer than you’re willing to stay,
Sin will cost you more than your willing to pay!

God bless,
John

 

[John_oxios]

Catechism:

1458 Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church. Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently through this sacrament the gift of the Father’s mercy, we are spurred to be merciful as he is merciful:60

1436 Eucharist and Penance. Daily conversion and penance find their source and nourishment in the Eucharist, for in it is made present the sacrifice of Christ which has reconciled us with God. Through the Eucharist those who live from the life of Christ are fed and strengthened. “It is a remedy to free us from our daily faults and to preserve us from mortal sins.”

1437 Reading Sacred Scripture, praying the Liturgy of the Hours and the Our Father - every sincere act of worship or devotion revives the spirit of conversion and repentance within us and contributes to the forgiveness of our sins.

The CCC does say:

       Strongly recommended:    to represent or urge as advisable or expedient,

Paul used the metaphor of a race several times, strongly I.e. 'Going strong" (1898) is from racing.

Who decides what venial sin is forgiven? How much Scripture , acts of mercy etc… etc… do we need to do to have God forgive us? Seems almost you decide how much needs to be done to be forgiven. God gave the authority to bind and loose through His Church and priests… not individuals to decide.

Advising someone there is no need to confess venial sin (the little sins) may be doing them more harm than good. In the Old Testament all sin was sacrificed for and atonement made.

All sin is a big deal, that’s why it’s called sin… All Sin separates us from God, even the little ones.

It is better to pluck out thy eye than lust again, though hyperbole…it does say even our illicit thoughts need to be paid attention too.

Mat 18:9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.

Under Canonlaw 989: §2 The faithful are recommended to confess also venial sins.

God bless,
John

 

[John_oxios]

Hello, I’m an “old” woman but a new Catholic and I have a question.

I have sinned but it will be a few days before I can get to confession although I have asked for forgiveness in my prayers. The question: Will God still hear my prayes and answer me before I get to confession? This may seem silly and naive but I really need to know.

Thank You

Hi Autumn,
God answers prayers in His time, God always hears our prayers, He knows your heart, and contrition of sin, and knowing that is what faith is about. The assurance of things hoped for the conviction of things not seen.

God bless, 
             John

 

[Bookcat]

So @ what point is it that we don’t really have to confess, And what is the reference or teaching of the Church that backs up your opinion?

When one has mortal sins on is obliged to confess them …when one has venial sins one is not obliged to confess them though it is highly recommended (at least some!).

Such is the teaching of the Church see above and Canon Law.

 

[Bookcat]

Advising someone there is no need to confess venial sin (the little sins) may be doing them more harm than good.

I stated that it is recommended to confess them! (I underlined this in fact in the quote from the CCC)

The person was under the false impression that they “had” to confess all their venial sins they where aware of or they would invalidate the confession!!! Such is completely wrong and harmful to hold. Hence my response.

They are not “needful” to be confessed. This remains true. They can be forgiven in many ways…as the Church teaches. But it is indeed highly recommended to confess venial sins for many reasons (including grace to overcome them).

 

[thistle]

Someone told me until I get to confession there is no point saying my daily prayers or praying for others because God wouldn’t hear me.

As the others have said that is not correct.

 

[trainguard]

Autumn, as others already said, God always listens to us. Then, He’ll answer in His way and with His time.

@ whom spoke about “confessing or not venial sins” (a little OT in my advice, since Autumn clearly said in her first post that she intends to confess as soon as possible): Confession is also called Reconciliation.
Sin, even a venial one, is an offence to God.
When you offend someone you love, don’t you go to him/her to say you’re sorry, and take the engagement you won’t offend him/her any more?
So why shouldn’t you (we) reconciliate with the Lord who is the best friend we’ll ever have?

 

[John_oxios]

I stated that it is recommended to confess them! (I underlined this in fact in the quote from the CCC)

The person was under the false impression that they “had” to confess all their venial sins they where aware of or they would invalidate the confession!!! Such is completely wrong and harmful to hold. Hence my response.

They are not “needful” to be confessed. This remains true. They can be forgiven in many ways…as the Church teaches. But it is indeed highly recommended to confess venial sins for many reasons (including grace to overcome them).

Hello Bookcat,

                      you added your opinion!

Your post:

Bookcat, post # 16,
When one has mortal sins on is obliged to confess them …when one has venial sins one is not obliged to confess them though it is highly recommended (at least some!).

Show me where the Church says “at least some” or not obliged? To me, “Strongly recommended,” is more like a subtle command.

The CCC you quoted was about “Everyday faults” which means to me, One doesn’t have to run to confession, when the conviction of guilt of sin strikes us, after all Satan tempts us completely, 7x everyday with each of the 7 sins…That’s 49 times a day!

CCC# 1458, “…Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit.”

Can anyone of us deny the need for strength to avoid evil tendencies?

Gen 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is couching at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.

1Jo 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Hbr 3:13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Even the Apostles prayed to jesus to increase their faith, in understanding complete forgiveness.

God bless,
John