Confession

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I have noticed that in the past couple of years, I have been recieving the sacrament of reconciliation less and less ( I go once a year now, as I know it’s a precept of the church to go at least ONCE a year, but more is best). Mostly because the sins I commited were all venial, and were the same ones every time.
I’ve also found myself wondering why we need to confess sins to a priest. I understand that God is working through the preist to absolve our sins, but since He is God, couldn’t he do it without the priest? :confused: It just kind of seems like it should be a more personal thing, between God and I, and nobody else.

-Christina-

P.S: I think it’d be a great idea if parishes set up classes to refresh the lay’s memory on why such sacraments (and other teachings of the church) are important. 🙂
 
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Firebug:
I have noticed that in the past couple of years, I have been recieving the sacrament of reconciliation less and less ( I go once a year now, as I know it’s a precept of the church to go at least ONCE a year, but more is best). Mostly because the sins I commited were all venial, and were the same ones every time.
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It’s great that you haven’t committed any mortal sins for so long - congratulations! But venial sins committed habitually are also dangerous and can eventually lead to mortal sin. We need to try to break those habits, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the best ways Christ has given us of doing so. ALL sin offends God, and we have to work to “be perfect, even as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” .
I’ve also found myself wondering why we need to confess sins to a priest. I understand that God is working through the preist to absolve our sins, but since He is God, couldn’t he do it without the priest? :confused: It just kind of seems like it should be a more personal thing, between God and I, and nobody else.
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You may as well ask, “Why did God have to found the Church to connect us to Christ and give us the Sacraments? Since He is God He could have somehow made some sort of other connexion linking us to the salvation Christ won for us.” I guess He could have. But He didn’t, He gave us the Church, and told the Apostles “Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven”. In the early centuries, sinners had to confess their sins to the whole congregation before the priest could absolve them. Now we only have to confess to one priest who represents Christ and His Church whom we have offended. If you hurt somebody, you can’t demand that they forgive you without you first apologising TO them, not just being sorry in your heart.
P.S: I think it’d be a great idea if parishes set up classes to refresh the lay’s memory on why such sacraments (and other teachings of the church) are important. 🙂
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I agree.
 
I have noticed that the longer the time between when I go to Confession, the more tolerant I am to sin. Little lies, wasting time at work, using office supplies for personal use etc…only small amounts but they get either more frequent or incrementally worse.

I have noticed that this ‘slippery slope’ usually occurs between the 3rd and 4th week. So, for me, I know I should go to Confession every three weeks whether I feel I need it or not. After all, we are all called to Holiness.

Have you heard Fr Larry Richards talk on Confession? It is available from www.catholicity.com also Fr John Corapi on fathercorapi.com/nowplaying.aspx
 
All U People Confessing Ur Sins To Man Are Still Walking Around In Their Sins…

John 14:6- I’am The Way The Truth And The Life,no May Cometh Unto The Father, But By Me.

So How Can Man Forgive Sins If U Cant Cometh Near The Father,only By God?
 
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kidrome:
All U People Confessing Ur Sins To Man Are Still Walking Around In Their Sins…

John 14:6- I’am The Way The Truth And The Life,no May Cometh Unto The Father, But By Me.

So How Can Man Forgive Sins If U Cant Cometh Near The Father,only By God?
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Jesus said to his apostles: “Whatever you forgive in earth will be forgiven in heaven, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven.”
 
I go once or twice a year. I used to go more frequently but confession times have become very limited here and with the children, I find it very hard to go. I can’t leave the little ones outside and I’m not allowed to bring them in. The only times available are weekdays at the Cathedral at 11.30for half an hour (can’t do without the kids) and on Saturdays at 9.30. One parish has them at 4pm if I can get away. Most parishes only have the Saturday half hour.
 
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kidrome:
All U People Confessing Ur Sins To Man Are Still Walking Around In Their Sins…

John 14:6- I’am The Way The Truth And The Life,no May Cometh Unto The Father, But By Me.

So How Can Man Forgive Sins If U Cant Cometh Near The Father,only By God?
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It is because God has chosen to act through those He designates, just as He did in the Old Testament.

God spoke to Israel through the prophets. He didn’t have to; He could have spoken directly to each and every one of them. God set up the priests of the Old Testament to offer sacrifice on behalf of the people.

In the New Testament, He, through Christ, His Son, gave a very specific power to the Apostles: the power to forgive sins, which was stated specifically; and indirectly again when Christ said thay had the powere to “bind and to loose”. From the earliest church, that power has been recognized and accepted.

Interestingly, one of the issues that really subsides in the question concerning the power to forgive sins is the issue of pride: some people out of pride are not willing to admit their sins to another but wish to “keep it just between them and God”. It helps to remember that pride is at the root of most sins, and that it takes humility to confess what are often our darkest and deepest secrets - our failings.

It also helps to understand that it is God who forgives the sin; it is just that God has chosen to exercise that power through His delegation to priests.
 
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otm:
In the New Testament, He, through Christ, His Son, gave a very specific power to the Apostles: the power to forgive sins, which was stated specifically; and indirectly again when Christ said thay had the powere to “bind and to loose”. From the earliest church, that power has been recognized and accepted.
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Aha! Thank you! 🙂 I knew it had to do with God deligating that power to the Apostles, but I couldn’t remember if that was why we had to confess to a priest. I agree, it does take a lot of humility to confess sins.
 
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