Penance

[J.Edwin]

I have some questions about the Sacrament of Penance. please direct me if another forum is more appropriate.

My first question is whether or not Church law requires a Catholic to receive Penance once a year or not? What does it mean if the Catholic does not do it or does not agree with this particular law?

More questions will follow.

 

[Lux_et_veritas]

Hey J.

Maybe this will help:

cin.org/mateo/sacrament-penance.html

The short answer is that if you have mortal sin on your soul, you must confess at least yearly. If you have venial sin only, then confession is recommended.

In general, frequent use of this Sacrament helps us to form our conscience in a way that is aligned with our Catholic faith. That leads into the second question you have.

Jesus said the path was narrow, not wide. He exemplified a life of sacrifice, humility and obedience and we are called to do the same. This means that we simply cannot accept only those teachings which are convenient or easy to follow.

In the absence of understanding, it is the truest form of obedience when one freely chooses to accept a teaching in heart, mind, word and action. To give up our will for that of the Father as handed down to us through the gift of the Magisterium is so pleasing to God. Following our own will in place of that is a disappointment to Him.

Can you tell us about the teachings with which you have difficulty?

 

[Michael_Welter]

The sacrament of Penance is the equivalent of taking a spiritual shower. Of course, we wouldn’t take a shower once a year, even that was the minimum required by law. We would take one as often as necessary to be clean. If we don’t go to confession, we allow the dirt to build up, and really does have an impact on our spiritual life.

Although the Church asks us to confess at least once a year, I’ve always believed that God isn’t looking for a people who will do the minimum to get into heaven. I believe that He wants a people who will be so passionately in love with Him, that they will want to do the maximum for Him.

 

[J.Edwin]

Lux_et_veritas:

Hey J.

Maybe this will help:

cin.org/mateo/sacrament-penance.html

The short answer is that if you have mortal sin on your soul, you must confess at least yearly. If you have venial sin only, then confession is recommended.

In general, frequent use of this Sacrament helps us to form our conscience in a way that is aligned with our Catholic faith. That leads into the second question you have.

Jesus said the path was narrow, not wide. He exemplified a life of sacrifice, humility and obedience and we are called to do the same. This means that we simply cannot accept only those teachings which are convenient or easy to follow.

In the absence of understanding, it is the truest form of obedience when one freely chooses to accept a teaching in heart, mind, word and action. To give up our will for that of the Father as handed down to us through the gift of the Magisterium is so pleasing to God. Following our own will in place of that is a disappointment to Him.

Can you tell us about the teachings with which you have difficulty?

 

[m134e5]

Michael Welter:

The sacrament of Penance is the equivalent of taking a spiritual shower. Of course, we wouldn’t take a shower once a year, even that was the minimum required by law. We would take one as often as necessary to be clean. If we don’t go to confession, we allow the dirt to build up, and really does have an impact on our spiritual life.

Although the Church asks us to confess at least once a year, I’ve always believed that God isn’t looking for a people who will do the minimum to get into heaven. I believe that He wants a people who will be so passionately in love with Him, that they will want to do the maximum for Him.

Nicely said!