Nobody at Confession...Everyone for Eucharist?

[JoeyWarren]

I think a decline in confession is growing trend. I go to confession randomly once a month and randomly to 3 different churches. I avoid my own priest and church for confession, since I am well known and he knows my voice. The 3 churches I do randomly select have a very low turn out for confession.

Not to judge either…but…if a church has 500 members but on any given saturday you have only 10 people going to confession…is this saying the remaining 460 are not sinning at all?

 

[Maria3m]

…if a church has 500 members but on any given saturday you have only 10 people going to confession…is this saying the remaining 460 are not sinning at all?

Ummm, apparently, they are all going to other churches for confession. (Not that the lines in the other churches are any longer.)

Seriously though, I agree w/ pnewton that a mortal sin isn’t easy for a faithful Catholic to commit. Everyone has made comments that I agree with or have learned something from. Also, I agree with Jim’s comment about finding a good confessor. In RCIA, we were told confession isn’t a counseling session…don’t come in to talk about all your problems. Don’t confess EVERYTHING because it will take too long…ect. ect.

SOOOOO, now let me explain WHY it is that I noticed that NO ONE stayed behind. As someone who cannot receive Holy Communion and just started coming to church at the time, I looked around (oh, no! ) to see what to do.

(Have you ever read the suggestions on this forum for newbies to look around at mass and do what others are doing??? Not being nosey, but to not stand out – so please don’t reprimand (or judge me – seems the judging goes both ways) I had no idea what to do! I had RCIA classmates who ran to the bathroom during Holy Communion because they had NO IDEA what to do!!!)

I felt like I was in the way of people attempting to exit the pew. Plus, drew attention to myself when I’d step out the pew to let everyone out then have to step out the other side to let them in. :banghead: There was no example to follow. You can check to see I even asked what to do here on the forums (step out, sit back, WHAT?!).

Well, when I got over that, that’s when I decided to focus more on praying duirng that time…spiritual communion.

Please know I am NOT judging anyone when they go up.
Once-in-a-while (after my prayers) I will watch how someone receives. Some of my fellow parishoners are so reverant it brings tears to my eyes (I’m extra emotional while pregnant ) I’m learning & longing for what I can’t have…honestly not being nosey.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Based on the history of the sacrament of penance, it wouldn’t surprise me to see it change to being similar to the 1st century, with the exception of public confession.

Confession would only be for the most serious offenses, adultery, murder and theft and rejection of faith. Some other form of a general absolution at the begining of Mass could come.

Maybe not in my lifetime, but it doesn’t make much sense to have a priest sit in a confessional week to week, without any penitents.

Jim

 

[JoeyWarren]

Nearly everyone commits a mortal sin at least once a week.

You don’t think so?

Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Example: On any given night do you watch TV for 2 hours? If so do you give that same amount of time to God in Prayer? If not, you love that TV more then you love God.

Any one thing on any given day that you that is pleasurable to you that you do more than you give to God in Prayer is a Mortal Sin in my honest opinion.

 

[Magicsilence]

Nearly everyone commits a mortal sin at least once a week.

You don’t think so?

Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Example: On any given night do you watch TV for 2 hours? If so do you give that same amount of time to God in Prayer? If not, you love that TV more then you love God.

Any one thing on any given day that you that is pleasurable to you that you do more than you give to God in Prayer is a Mortal Sin in my honest opinion.

I like sleeping, I would even call it ‘pleasurable’.

Am I sinning mortally?

 

[Maria3m]

Any one thing on any given day that you that is pleasurable to you that you do more than you give to God in Prayer is a Mortal Sin in my honest opinion.

Umm, maybe it depends on the person. It can’t be a blanket statement like that.

I love every minute w/ my children, and honestly, I spend more time with them than reading my Bible or talking to God. (I do both, but I mean if your going to get a stopwatch out. ) However, I am thankful to God. I acknowledge everything is because of God.
Without Him I wouldn’t have children. When spending time with them, I pray for them…please don’t let them get sick, die before me or some painful death, please let me be a good mamma. Little things, but somehow someway my thoughts return to God (being thankful, asking for help, whatever).

Now, if I put my children before God, then yes I can see how that is commiting a Mortal sin. You don’t have to pray for two hours straight for every two hours spent doing something pleasureable…just have your priorities in order. God first. Know where all your blessings (everything you have & do) come from. I acknowledge God in my life constantly.

Watch TV for two hours, but never forget it’s because of God that you have that job that pays for the electricity…the tv…the couch you sit on…

sorry to the OP…if we’ve gotten off-topic. However, I’d love to continue learning & discussing mortal sins in a new thread.
So, Joey, if you’d like, I’d join you on another thread. I enjoy learning. (I’d join later…I’m off to take my kids to a pumpkin farm for some fun. It will take some time, but I am thankful to God to be able to do this …being a SAHM…DH works so hard…God has been good to us…I am going for some fun, but never without knowing it’s because of God)

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Nearly everyone commits a mortal sin at least once a week.

You don’t think so?

Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Example: On any given night do you watch TV for 2 hours? If so do you give that same amount of time to God in Prayer? If not, you love that TV more then you love God.

Any one thing on any given day that you that is pleasurable to you that you do more than you give to God in Prayer is a Mortal Sin in my honest opinion.

I think you need some spiritual direction to help you out of your scrupulosity.

None of the examples you sight above constitute a mortal sin.

 

[JoeyWarren]

I like sleeping, I would even call it ‘pleasurable’.

Am I sinning mortally?

Sleep is not a pleasure but a God-given neccessity.

 

[JoeyWarren]

We are called to pray unceasingly.

We are called to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.

 

[JoeyWarren]

I think you need some spiritual direction to help you out of your scrupulosity.

None of the examples you sight above constitute a mortal sin.

I will use the example Fr Larry Richards used. Did you kiss your wife today? Yes? Good? Did you pray to God today? No? Oh, you love your wife more than you love God. My example only takes it next logical step. But there are other methods of prayer as well.

 

[JoeyWarren]

Umm, maybe it depends on the person. It can’t be a blanket statement like that.

No, it was not intended as a blanket statement. And yes it does depend on the person.

 

[JoeyWarren]

I love every minute w/ my children, and honestly, I spend more time with them than reading my Bible or talking to God.

As you should. But the reason for doing so is the fine line. Is the person doing so because out of love for god or out of love of one’s own self-pleasure without regard for God.

(I do both, but I mean if your going to get a stopwatch out. ) However, I am thankful to God. I acknowledge everything is because of God.

I sure hope so, but some people do not, they take it for granted. Some even say it is a right.

Without Him I wouldn’t have children. When spending time with them, I pray for them…please don’t let them get sick, die before me or some painful death, please let me be a good mamma. Little things, but somehow someway my thoughts return to God (being thankful, asking for help, whatever).

And I will give a large **A-MEN **to that!

 

[JoeyWarren]

Let me pose this question to anyone?

What would you be doing with your time if all technology was lost because the production of Electricity had disappeared? What would you be doing with your mind to replace the void left by the absence of Music, Television, and the Computer and othe things that take your attention span away from God?

What would happened if the entire planet was hit with an EMP weapon? Imagine your life without any Utilities in your home? How many of you would not survive?

My honest opinion in post #44 is based (name removed by moderator)art on this premise.

 

[He_Man]

Wow!! You really are a bit nosy aren’t you? Did you stop to think these people going to receive Communion might be going to Confession at another Church? I go to Confession at another Church where it is more convenient as far as the time and yet I go to Mass and receive the Eucharist at my own parish where I am registered. I would hate to think people were judging without knwoing all of the alternatives. Geesh!

:heart:Blyss

if that were true, the fact is Churches somewhere would be receiving these poeple. Statistically, we know most Catholic do not attend confession. Nmubers do not lie.

Now this is not to say whether or not this is our business, but we can’t foolishly assume that they may be going elsewhere. The numbers and their own admittances show they are not.

Anecdotal evidence we see in our daily lives doesn’t change reality.

 

[JoeyWarren]

if that were true, the fact is Churches somewhere would be receiving these poeple. Statistically, we know most Catholic do not attend confession. Nmubers do not lie.

Now this is not to say whether or not this is our business, but we can’t foolishly assume that they may be going elsewhere. The numbers and their own admittances show they are not.

Anecdotal evidence we see in our daily lives doesn’t change reality.

We can also add the use of contraception by Catholics as another trend. The question whether the use of contraception is a mortal sin or a venial sin. I personally don’t know.

 

[Ace86]

We can also add the use of contraception by Catholics as another trend. The question whether the use of contraception is a mortal sin or a venial sin. I personally don’t know.

It’s a mortal sin.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I will use the example Fr Larry Richards used. Did you kiss your wife today? Yes? Good? Did you pray to God today? No? Oh, you love your wife more than you love God. My example only takes it next logical step. But there are other methods of prayer as well.

Bad analogy. Kissing your wife is an experssion of love that is part of the unitive relationship a man has with his wife. Failing to pray does not mean that a man love’s God less than his wife, but the events of the day may have prohibited time from praying, which takes longer than a kiss.

It be like saying, did you eat today? Yes. Did you pray? No, Oh, you love food more than God. The analogy is silly.

Also, for a person who has faith, it’s almost impossible to not pray. Prayer takes on many forms, even if it’s just a short reflection on God.

To say that a person who kissed his wife, but failed to pray has committed a mortal sin, is non-sense.

A mortal sin must grave and be committed with full knowledge and consent.

Failing to pray is not a mortal sin.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

We are called to pray unceasingly.

I think you misunderstand what it means to pray unceasingly.
Get a copy of “The Way of the Pilgrim,” it gives a good lesson on the subject.

We are called to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind

This does not mean we have to give up all the pleasures of life for active prayer time.

Living a contemplative life means living a life centered on God, and that can mean reflecting on God as you enjoy a sunset, a good meal, or the work you are doing.

 

[JoeyWarren]

Failing to pray is not a mortal sin.

I suggest you buy Fr. Larry Richards CD for a buck at the Mary Foundation and listen to it. Especially about the parts on failure to obey the first commandment. Then comeback and start a new thread. And we can discuss it.

 

[JoeyWarren]

I t

hink you misunderstand what it means to pray unceasingly.
Get a copy of “The Way of the Pilgrim,” it gives a good lesson on the subject.

I think when it says to pray unceasingly, one should not go a day without prayer.

Dou you plan your day around God or do you plan God around your day.

God is not talking **** when he says: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.

For people what is the first thought after immediately waking up in the morning? “Getting to the Bathroom to relieve yourself” or is an acknowledgement to God for allowing you to see a new day.

Again go get “Larry Richards” “Confession” CD at the Mary Foundation.