Limits on confession

[whatevergirl]

I dont know how to do these quotes properly, but…

Whatevergirl said:
“I find it all very interesting, and appreciate you sharing it. I am glad that you’re ok with it. Why in your own eyes, do you feel he told you not to receive communion during the week?”

Because I knew the sin was mortal, I knew I did not receive absolution, and I knew that in that state, one should not receive communion. So I asked him if I should not receive, just to be sure. He told me that if I met the 3 criteria for mortal sin (grave matter, full knowledge, full consent), I should not receive.

Turtle18 said:
“Sins of presumption can be very serious. Maybe the priest was trying to help you get over your sin–if you had to miss daily Eucharist you might be more likely to give up your sin.”"

That could very well be a part of it.

If you want to attach someone’s quote…just click the quote button in the poster’s box you wish to quote…and it will bring the quote into a yellow section, and just type under the quote part.

Ok…back to your topic…I guess, if it was mortal–why wouldn’t he spare a moment to listen to your confession? Was this out of the normal confession hours, or was it during? I am not trying to split hairs, but Jesus wants us all to come to His table, and if we are seeking to be forgiven…then I guess I am not understanding why your priest chose to tell you not to receive…in essence we should only be denied absolution if we are not repentant…which one is taking a leap that one is not repentant, if one shows up the next day asking for forgiveness. Some people take time to get over their sin. I sometimes repeat the same venial sins…so, maybe you could help me to understand his reasoning. You don’t have to, it just would be helpful for me to understand…

 

[14er]

If you want to attach someone’s quote…just click the quote button in the poster’s box you wish to quote…and it will bring the quote into a yellow section, and just type under the quote part.

Ok…back to your topic…I guess, if it was mortal–why wouldn’t he spare a moment to listen to your confession? Was this out of the normal confession hours, or was it during? I am not trying to split hairs, but Jesus wants us all to come to His table, and if we are seeking to be forgiven…then I guess I am not understanding why your priest chose to tell you not to receive…in essence we should only be denied absolution if we are not repentant…which one is taking a leap that one is not repentant, if one shows up the next day asking for forgiveness. Some people take time to get over their sin. I sometimes repeat the same venial sins…so, maybe you could help me to understand his reasoning. You don’t have to, it just would be helpful for me to understand…

Normal confession hours here are all day every day, so that was not the issue. I explained it the best I could, and if I were to try to go further, I would have to start to try to read his mind. Not a good idea. Except to say that he probably would feel uncomfortable to tell someone in a state of serious sin that it’s OK to receive communion. And don’t forget something I wrote in an earlier post: That if I insisted, he probably would have heard my confession.

I’m out now for the rest of the weekend. God bless.

 

[LilyM]

Normal confession hours here are all day every day, so that was not the issue. I explained it the best I could, and if I were to try to go further, I would have to start to try to read his mind. Not a good idea. Except to say that he probably would feel uncomfortable to tell someone in a state of serious sin that it’s OK to receive communion. And don’t forget something I wrote in an earlier post: That if I insisted, he probably would have heard my confession.

I’m out now for the rest of the weekend. God bless.

Sounds very odd - surely it’s for your director, being in authority over you in spiritual matters, to advise you as to whether you need to confess or not, and not just to stay quiet until you ask for or insist upon confession.

 

[whatevergirl]

Normal confession hours here are all day every day, so that was not the issue. I explained it the best I could, and if I were to try to go further, I would have to start to try to read his mind. Not a good idea. Except to say that he probably would feel uncomfortable to tell someone in a state of serious sin that it’s OK to receive communion. And don’t forget something I wrote in an earlier post: That if I insisted, he probably would have heard my confession.

I’m out now for the rest of the weekend. God bless.

oops…I forgot you posted that part. ha:blush: But Lily makes a great point…I am surprised he didn’t insist. I don’t know…

 

[ElizabethPH]

Sounds very odd - surely it’s for your director, being in authority over you in spiritual matters, to advise you as to whether you need to confess or not, and not just to stay quiet until you ask for or insist upon confession.

I am starting to get confused; but that doesn’t take much.

Even if it was sins of presumption, he might have heard the confession. In my estimation. And I’m sorry again for bringing up the example about something unthinkable happening in the meantime. But I’m not as eloquent as you all are

Why would the OP be alright with not getting absolution in confession?

 

[Eilish_Maura]

I am starting to get confused; but that doesn’t take much.

Even if it was sins of presumption, he should have heard the confession. In my estimation. And I’m sorry again for bringing up the example about something unthinkable happening in the meantime. But I’m not as eloquent as you all are

Why would the OP be alright with not getting absolution in confession?

My understanding from what OP posted is that he did not make a confession - he asked if his spiritual director would hear it.

 

[baltobetsy]

OP’s spiritual director, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, probably knows him better than he knows himself. He’s heard many of his confessions, has spoken to him about his struggles and successes in the spiritual life, and probably knows his thought processes quite thoroughly. He knows OP’s attitude toward the Sacraments, including whether it is a healthy attitude or not.

To carry the doctor analogy a bit further, perhaps OP’s having committed a sin he wished to confess after only one day, while in itself a serious problem, is a manifestation of an even more serious problem in his basic attitudes toward God and the Sacraments. So as a doctor of the soul, the director makes the prudential judgement that treatment of the symptom can wait in favor of curing the underlying disease. He knows exactly how much blood the patient can afford to lose before applying the remedy.

We’ve seen OP’s docility and gratitude for these actions of the director. This indicates his understanding of the supernatural value of obedience to one’s spiritual superior. There is always merit in obedience, even if one ends up objectively wrong by doing so. It is the superior who bears the responsibility for such an error, leaving the obedient one blameless.

To address the specific concerns about OP’s salvation, should he be hit by a bus between now and Saturday when he is permitted to make his confession, I believe God will be pleased with his obedience to the director and be well disposed to forgive the sin even without the Sacrament. He has demonstrated his contrition by obeying and trusting.

Betsy

 

[jsphbeale]

My priest once told me that when I have sinned and couldn’t make it to confession that sitting while others are receiving and contemplating why I can’t go could make me stronger the next time the occasion to commit the same sin arose. He was right. As I sat I prayed as to how sorry I was, especially that I was missing the chance to receive Jesus, it really did make me stronger. Also he knows that if you had died before your next confession you would have been forgiven because God knows it was in your heart to confess. I believe the Church teaches that as long as we have the intention to confess at the earliest possible time then we could be forgiven for those sins not yet confessed. Anyway, in his defense maybe he was teaching you a lesson. You did say he was your spiritual director so he must know you well and would not lead you astray.

 

[Like]

I believe God will be pleased with his obedience to the director and be well disposed to forgive the sin even without the Sacrament. He has demonstrated his contrition by obeying and trusting.

Betsy

Betsy, I believe you hit the nail dead center! I mean after all he did attempt to go to confession & in MHO, God knows when you truly contrit!

 

[Like]

My priest once told me that when I have sinned and couldn’t make it to confession that sitting while others are receiving and contemplating why I can’t go could make me stronger the next time the occasion to commit the same sin arose. He was right. As I sat I prayed as to how sorry I was, especially that I was missing the chance to receive Jesus, it really did make me stronger. Also he knows that if you had died before your next confession you would have been forgiven because God knows it was in your heart to confess. I believe the Church teaches that as long as we have the intention to confess at the earliest possible time then we could be forgiven for those sins not yet confessed. Anyway, in his defense maybe he was teaching you a lesson. You did say he was your spiritual director so he must know you well and would not lead you astray.

whopst! I wish I had read further before I posted.