Question about confession

[nannygirl]

Frinjaaa is correct on a limited level in that she doesn’t need to go to confession, that she can rely on her direct communication with God, confessing her sins in that manner. This is because, as others have stated, that if you make a perfect act of contrition, then it is possible to receive sanctifying grace.

But isn’t this risky??? What is a perfect act of contrition? Do we all realize how much we offend God every day? How can you be willing to risk your eternal soul on such a gamble? - even that lack of prudence seems like it should be something that should be confessed. If you go to confession, you have God’s promise that your sins will be forgiven - don’t take this lightly.
The fact that you seem reluctant/embarrased to go (if indeed that’s true) should be a sign that you still have some attachment to your sins.

Sacramental confession is, instead, a great opportunity that we all need to avail ourselves of frequently. The grace that we receive helps us to fight against our pattern of sins; sometimes the penance assigned or the advice given by the priest can do wonders as well. My challenge: even if you don’t think it’s necessary, try to come up with an argument for how it is harmful…if you can’t, go and make a sincere, complete confession and see how the experience is.

I think it’s really great that you daily confess your sins to God. As Catholics, we are called to make a nightly examination of conscience of the day’s affairs. Being aware of our sins is a huge step towards sanctity. Just do the next step and trust in the Lord’s revelation in sacred scriptures as taught to us by holy mother church. Go to sacramental confession, and receive the peace of knowing that your sins are *definitely *forgiven (not “probably” as you’ve thought up until now).

Good post!

 

[Ruthie]

King Alfred,

Take heart! I had my first confession at age 54, with a loooooong life of deep sinning. Among other things I used and supported birth control, was rabidly “pro-choice,” and had been a merry little fornicator from about age 16 to my mid-30’s. All that is public knowledge on these forums; there were other sins, too.

When I left the confessional, I felt 30 years younger and 80 pounds lighter - I felt like I could fly.

Go for it - today!

Ruthie

 

[mullenpm]

bbentrup, I think that your explanation was just wonderful and so uplifting .

 

[graceandglory]

When I left the confessional, I felt 30 years younger and 80 pounds lighter - I felt like I could fly.

Go for it - today!

Ruthie

Dear Ruthie,

That’s how I feel after Confession!!! I feel like the Rocky theme should be playing, “Gonna Fly Now!”

 

[NotWorthy]

**This is not what the Church teaches. If one goes to Confession and sincerely confesses his or her personal sins, and when the priest grants absolution, the sins are absolved for that person *for all eternity, regardless ***as to whether or not the individual has forgiven others which, by the way, still needs to be done on the personal level. Hopefully, this will eventually happen, but sometimes the hurt is so deep that psychologically it takes a long time to get to that point. That is only natural.

Yes, but isn’t refusing to forgive someone a sin of omission? If so, then it is a sin until you confess it. I would HOPE that the priest would refuse to absolve your sins until you repent and forgive the other?

So, yes, in a direct way, you are right. But I think in the long run, I’m right at the same time.

 

[NotWorthy]

But that is not what Christ said in the gospels. He gave the divine mandate to his apostles and those after them to forgive sins in his name. How were they supposed to forgive sins in a person if they didn’t know what the sins were? This teaching and practice has come down to us since apostolic times, and so has the sacrament of reconciliation. It definitely is the business of a priest because he can forgive sins.

You’re really way off on this.

Unless, of course, they were blessed with the charism of ESP. I looked, though, and I don’t see it.

 

[peary]

Yes, but isn’t refusing to forgive someone a sin of omission? If so, then it is a sin until you confess it. I would HOPE that the priest would refuse to absolve your sins until you repent and forgive the other?

So, yes, in a direct way, you are right. But I think in the long run, I’m right at the same time.

Most normal people can forgive up to a point, but after that, depending on how deep the offense or hurt is or was to them, it becomes psychologically more difficult to do so, and one must continuously invoke the help of God. If there is an issue with forgiving someone, this should be shared with the priest during Confession, or in a private session. Sometimes, therapy needs to be applied before forgiveness comes. Forgiveness is not something one and turn on and off like a water faucet. And I would HOPE that the priest would NEVER refuse to absolve one if the individual is too wounded to forgive. What you are suggesting is that they be denied Eucharistic graces which could soften their hearts, as well as other sacraments of the Church. And that is just a wrong course to take. Err on the side of mercy, not judgment.

 

[NotWorthy]

Most normal people can forgive up to a point, but after that, depending on how deep the offense or hurt is or was to them, it becomes psychologically more difficult to do so, and one must continuously invoke the help of God. If there is an issue with forgiving someone, this should be shared with the priest during Confession, or in a private session. Sometimes, therapy needs to be applied before forgiveness comes. Forgiveness is not something one and turn on and off like a water faucet. And I would HOPE that the priest would NEVER refuse to absolve one if the individual is too wounded to forgive. What you are suggesting is that they be denied Eucharistic graces which could soften their hearts, as well as other sacraments of the Church. And that is just a wrong course to take. Err on the side of mercy, not judgment.

OK, so what does Jesus mean when he says, as you forgive, so you shall be forgiven.

Just as loving our neighbors requires God’s Graces, I would assume forgiving our neighbors requires His Graces as well.

You can’t love your neighbor if you can’t forgive him.

But in regards to your point, I was thinking of someone who outright refuses to forgive, rather than someone who is trying to, but can’t. There’s a huge difference.

 

[peary]

OK, so what does Jesus mean when he says, as you forgive, so you shall be forgiven.

**I believe he is referring to holding grudges, for the most part. It takes one of great Faith and strength to forgive one if you are abused or physically hurt in some way(sexual abuse, beatings, torture, rape, etc.), although time heals. **

Just as loving our neighbors requires God’s Graces, I would assume forgiving our neighbors requires His Graces as well.

You can’t love your neighbor if you can’t forgive him.

Again, err on the side of mercy, not judgment.

But in regards to your point, I was thinking of someone who outright refuses to forgive, rather than someone who is trying to, but can’t. There’s a huge difference.

**And you would be correct in that case. That is what you should have specified at the beginning. ******

 

[ShemariahBeans]

King Alfred,

Take heart! I had my first confession at age 54, with a loooooong life of deep sinning. Among other things I used and supported birth control, was rabidly “pro-choice,” and had been a merry little fornicator from about age 16 to my mid-30’s. All that is public knowledge on these forums; there were other sins, too.

When I left the confessional, I felt 30 years younger and 80 pounds lighter - I felt like I could fly.

Go for it - today!

Ruthie

Oh, oh King Alfred, we’re going to show our scars!!

Ruthie, you have me fascinated with the 80 lbs lighter analogy. SO true. And having struggled with being vertically challenged and horizontally enhanced all of my adult life, I’m coming to undertand the sin of gluttony.

So I’m going on a “Catholic” diet to work on this. I will confess my sin, and then be able to take the “Bread of Life”. Snacks will consist of Scripture - man does not live on bread alone. I’ll be putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6) as my defense.

Pray with me on this please - it’s the best offense I know!

 

[Ruthie]

Shemariah, prayer sent up - now you do the same for me!

Ruthie

 

[mullenpm]

Shemariah, Ruthie

I love the idea of a Catholic Diet Club; may I join?

I also am, as Shemariah worded it so well, vertically challenged and horizontally enhanced.

 

[teentruthseeker]

Frinjaaa is correct on a limited level in that she doesn’t need to go to confession, that she can rely on her direct communication with God, confessing her sins in that manner. This is because, as others have stated, that if you make a perfect act of contrition, then it is possible to receive sanctifying grace.

But isn’t this risky??? What is a perfect act of contrition? Do we all realize how much we offend God every day? How can you be willing to risk your eternal soul on such a gamble? - even that lack of prudence seems like it should be something that should be confessed. If you go to confession, you have God’s promise that your sins will be forgiven - don’t take this lightly.
The fact that you seem reluctant/embarrased to go (if indeed that’s true) should be a sign that you still have some attachment to your sins.

Sacramental confession is, instead, a great opportunity that we all need to avail ourselves of frequently. The grace that we receive helps us to fight against our pattern of sins; sometimes the penance assigned or the advice given by the priest can do wonders as well. My challenge: even if you don’t think it’s necessary, try to come up with an argument for how it is harmful…if you can’t, go and make a sincere, complete confession and see how the experience is.

I think it’s really great that you daily confess your sins to God. As Catholics, we are called to make a nightly examination of conscience of the day’s affairs. Being aware of our sins is a huge step towards sanctity. Just do the next step and trust in the Lord’s revelation in sacred scriptures as taught to us by holy mother church. Go to sacramental confession, and receive the peace of knowing that your sins are *definitely *forgiven (not “probably” as you’ve thought up until now).

nicely said:thumbsup:

 

[Jesus_N_Cherie]

This is an answer to Peary and another person from the previous page I believe:

Maybe if he/she/you went to the priest in the confessional and told him the story. and you told him that you, because you want to recieve the forgiveness of Jesus, you know that you must forgive this person, yet you can’t concieve of how to go about doing it.

Many people fail to realize that forgiveness is not an emotion…but a decision. Think of it like this:

You and the offending person die and come before Jesus at the same time. And Jesus looks at you…from the Cross where He is physically in the throws of His Passion…and tells you that He loves you…and He loves this offender equally. But that He knows the horrible sin committed against you by the offender. Yet, He is allowing His Precious Blood…the Lamb’s Blood…for the forgiveness of the offenders sins. He will, however, not forgive the offender if you tell Him not to. And the love and Sacrifice of His Passion and Cross will be in vain.
And there are tears in His eyes. For, as we forgive those who trespass against us still stands. Which means that He will lose you, too. For your sins are unable to be forgiven.

Could you deny Jesus the soul of either the offender or yourself at that moment?

The answer to that question would be “No”. That is why I say that forgiveness is an act of will. Emotion has absolutely nothing to do with it. For, the worse the offense, the deeper the wound. But by making the decision to say, “Jesus, I choose to forgive this person of this offense.” it allows Jesus to flood you with the graces to heal. And He does. Never doubt.

 

[Crumpy]

If you can confess to God, then to the person you sinned against, what’s the point of confession if all you get is sanctifying grace?

The sacrament of reconciliation is the manner and method established by God. Yes, scripture says that “a humble and contrite heart I will not despise” and God commands our dedication as most poignently expressed in Deut 6,4 ff and Mark 12:28 ff.

But, read the book of Leviticus (especially chap 5) very carefully. It is what I came to realize this year when I decided to read the entire bible, that Leviticus is a very ‘Catholic’ book. It talks a lot about the old testament version of confession, which always requires a mediator. The mediator then was a human being, and a flawed human being at that. The modern priest is the flawed stand-in for the person of Jesus Christ, our high priest.

Then, it was the high priest or priest of the temple. Today, it is the priest in the sacrament of Confession, and it acknowledges that Jesus is the mediator for our salvation and reconciliation.

Before, Leviticus was written to guide the priest as to the appropriate sacrifice and method of confession. Ditto do we have a method for reconciliation through the priest, in place of the person of Jesus Christ.

 

[NotWorthy]

But, read the book of Leviticus (especially chap 5) very carefully. It is what I came to realize this year when I decided to read the entire bible, that Leviticus is a very ‘Catholic’ book. It talks a lot about the old testament version of confession, which always requires a mediator. The mediator then was a human being, and a flawed human being at that. The modern priest is the flawed stand-in for the person of Jesus Christ, our high priest.

And the Old is but a shadow of the good things to come…

You hit the nail on the head. Leviticus 5 erased any doubts about the Sacrament of Confession.

 

[Jesus_N_Cherie]

Thank you so much for the information in Leviticus. I really am grateful.