How repentant must you be for valid absolution?

[ames61]

Lux_et_veritas:

One thing I’ve changed about my confession habits is that I now discuss the attitude I had at the time of the particular transgression. Sometimes the attitude itself is a sin.

Lets say that someone uses God’s name in vein, then figures since they need to go to confession already, why bother holding back, and then proceeds to do so several more times figuring they will stop after confession. The attitude that you can sin more since you need to go to confession already must be a sin, itself. Maybe that falls under presumption as well, I’m not sure.

That is exactly what I tell my kids in CCD and Chastity classes. For instance, eating a ho-ho isn’t intrinsically wrong, but, seeing as I need to lose weight, isn’t a great idea. So I tell myself that really I shouldn’t eat this ho-ho, and should pray for the strength to put it down. Instead I decide that I would rather have the 7 1/2 seconds of transitory enjoyment than petition my Lord & God for the strength I need to forego this transitory pleasure. So at that point if I eat the ho-ho, given my state of mind, I’m guilty of gluttony, presumption AND idolatry!!! Oy.

 

[Lux_et_veritas]

ames61:

That is exactly what I tell my kids in CCD and Chastity classes. For instance, eating a ho-ho isn’t intrinsically wrong, but, seeing as I need to lose weight, isn’t a great idea. So I tell myself that really I shouldn’t eat this ho-ho, and should pray for the strength to put it down. Instead I decide that I would rather have the 7 1/2 seconds of transitory enjoyment than petition my Lord & God for the strength I need to forego this transitory pleasure. So at that point if I eat the ho-ho, given my state of mind, I’m guilty of gluttony, presumption AND idolatry!!! Oy.

I go another step with myself now and I’ve made a rule that says when I confess a sin, it is not enough to state the sin - I must dig for the attitude which led me to say “yes” to it in the first place and reveal that to Father.

I also have a model I’m working on called the ladder of temptation. I need to recognize when I’m on that first rung and often times, it is through no fault of our own (passing thought or unexpected exposure to stimulus). I need to indentify at which point I first realized I had the chance to say “no”, but said “yes” and this needs to be placed before Father, as well.

Let me tell you, God helped me to devise the greatest deterrent to sin with these changes.

 

[KCT]

tuopaolo:

I agree. I believe they would need to make some kind of moral reparation such as adopting a child as you suggest. If you are truly sorry for your sins you will express your sorrow in your life in some way. When your sins are serious your sorrow will be expressed in some substantial way.

True sorrow for the sin is required. Once they confess and receive absolution, it’s forgiven. They may choose to adopt or reverse, but neither is required. Sorrow can be expressed as they see fit.
—KCT