Contrition Question

[jmm08]

Lately I had the Anointing of the Sick.

And I think beginning at that time, I have had a lot of contrition given to me or that my mind is changed to think better about spiritual things. But what kind of contrition I don’t know.

a) I’ve quit doing my worst bad habit(s) – hopefully for good – and don’t ask what they were. Some seemed to be difficult addictions and even the next day they seemed to be gone and I thought great now I’ll have to see if this keeps up for three weeks. In a few days, it will be three weeks and they are still gone. Then what, I need to wait maybe a few months to know? Six months? Or a year?

b) I think what motivates me much is this – that God has placed something wonderful inside of me. And that I really don’t want to badly tarnish it with awful sins. Or that I have experienced for real that God loves me and that I don’t want to lose that love. Perhaps I see better that God initially wanted me to be good so that I could love Him and sing praises in eternity. I must admit that everything is not very clear, except that I really think I am changed.

c) I am afraid of going to hell. But this is a little different. The Holy Spirit has given me beautiful grace that I don’t want to lose so I must be careful.

So – is this perfect contrition, almost perfect contrition or imperfect contrition?

jmm08

 

[Inego_de_Loyola]

This is almost A perfect contrition. The only difference is that your motivation is primarly the greatness of his many gifts. And that is better than just good it’s great! But for it to be A perfect contrition it should be out of love for God because he is God ,The source of all goodness and love.
Catechism of the Catholic Church:

When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.-C.C.C. 1452

I hope this was helpfull and my the grace and peace of the lord be with you always!

 

[johannahw]

How can I learn to love God like that? Is it a gift I have to pray for?

 

[LilyM]

How can I learn to love God like that? Is it a gift I have to pray for?

Well, all good things are ultimately a gift, so yes, pray for it. But you can also nourish your love for Him by thinking of all the blessings you and those around you have received in your lives and acknowledging that He is their source.

And thinking of Christ’s gifts to us during His own life and Passion - that he, God almighty, became human, lived, taught, suffered and died. Not just for us as a group - but for you specifically. If you had been the only sinner in need of redemption who ever existed He would have come and suffered everything for your sake alone. What an awesome gift, what unfathomable love!

 

[jmm08]

This is almost a perfect contrition. The only difference is that your motivation is primarily the greatness of his many gifts. And that is better than just good it’s great! But for it to be a perfect contrition it should be out of love for God because he is God ,The source of all goodness and love.

I hope this was helpful and my the grace and peace of the lord be with you always!

Yes it was helpful and I think it is a correct answer. It is very encouraging. Because if I do not have perfect contrition, then there is even better possible. This is wonderful news. If there is a better contrition, then it will be possible to be rid of more sins and become more pleasing to God. And why do I want to be more pleasing to God? I suppose so I can be closer to Him. And why is that? I think I’d better quit while I’m ahead or I might get too close to thinking like perfect contrition (it will be better to wait on God’s time).

Father’s day is coming up. And my wife has asked me a few times what I’d like. Sure, I’d like presents like anybody else, but my heart really longs to increase in the knowledge that my wife really loves **me **(not my paycheck, the roof over our heads or other things). And not just puts up with me. Instead of any gifts, I’d rather feel more like I really am loved (and really she does love me). Is this connected? Actually, I think so. God wants the same from us. And we should want to know the same about God (that He loves us personally, instead of just wanting some really good gifts that He is quite able to give).

What would make me feel more like my wife loves me? When I asked her to read a chapter (message of Our Lady of Fatima – “Call to the sanctification of the family” chapter in “CALLS” by sister Lucia), I wish she would read it and not put it off. In other words, greater obedience would be nice. An obedience out of love for me. Is this connected? Actually, I think so. God wants the same from us.

Last night I had a few thoughts very early in the morning. Some things are difficult to understand. Many things are mysteries and many of our questions do not get answers. We do not need our understanding nearly as much as our Faith, our Hope and our Love.

I since I am a convert (was Baptist), I consider some scriptures to be comforting. I should not be anxious or bothered greatly because things are changing and seem to be getting better.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.

Philippians 1:6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 1:6-9 In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of (your) faith, the salvation of your souls.

2 Peter 1:3-8 His divine power has bestowed on us everything that makes for life and devotion, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and power. Through these, he has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises, so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature, after escaping from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love. If these are yours and increase in abundance, they will keep you from being idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Perhaps this is where I am – working at the self-control with endurance. As I complete some more endurance, I need more devotion. Devotion to what – to Jesus, to the Holy Spirit, to God. Faith, hope and love are important to us and they all must be rooted in our relationship with God. And they grow in strength when we love others and work our faith, our hope and our love on their behalf.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow – Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Does that mean it is also a feast day? My parish church has really nice First Friday services.

jmm08

 

[Spirithound]

Lately I had the Anointing of the Sick.

So – is this perfect contrition, almost perfect contrition or imperfect contrition?

Because if I do not have perfect contrition, then there is even better possible. This is wonderful news. If there is a better contrition, then it will be possible to be rid of more sins and become more pleasing to God.

So, you’ve recently had the Anointing of the Sick. This probably means that you made a sacramental confession, which means that all your sins are forgiven, regardless of whether your contrition was perfect or imperfect. Of course, perfect contrition is much better to have than imperfect contrition, because, as you said, by loving God more perfectly, you will break more habits of sin and become closer to God and love Him even more perfectly (a Divine circle, if you will ). God bless!!