What if im not sorry for a sin

[Tripp_B]

So today I was playing a video game, I got mad and said the Lord’s name in vain. After I thought “oh o can just confess that” i didn’t really feel sorry. I want to confess it though, and I guess since I’m writing this I do feel kinda sorry now, but what if this happens again? If I confess something and I don’t feel sorry will I be forgiven?

 

[Jenny35]

So today I was playing a video game, I got mad and said the Lord’s name in vain. After I thought “oh o can just confess that” i didn’t really feel sorry. I want to confess it though, and I guess since I’m writing this I do feel kinda sorry now, but what if this happens again? If I confess something and I don’t feel sorry will I be forgiven?

Be very careful with “Oh I can just confess that” - presumption of forgiveness is a sin in itself.

Why confess it if you aren’t sorry? And yes, contrition matters.

 

[LaughingBoy1503]

Well, you said that you are a little sorry now. Accidents happen. I think generally, we need to just seriously intend to try to do better next time. Kind of like saying “I cant guarantee it will not happen again, but im going to try harder not to do it again.” It is one thing to sin and then say “I need to confess that” and another to think “I can sin and just confess it” The second one is a sin in and of itself. I know I commit venial sins sometimes and my sorry for them is minimal if I am sorry at all. Try praying for grace to be sorry when you sin. We are growing in holiness. I remember a time I felt no sorrow for any of my sins. Our Lord is merciful and he will help us. Keep in mind that if you just blurted out what you said by accident without thinking, it would be a venial sin at worst. It is only a Mortal Sin if you said it knowing that it is a Mortal Sin, but you just did not care and Did it anyways. Someone else can correct me if I am wrong. I am still a new Convert (alittle over a year and a half) and I am still learning

 

[seagal]

The purpose of Confession is to ask forgiveness from God. If you’re not sorry, how can he forgive you? Part of the rite of the Reconciliation (or confession) is the Act of Contrition.

O my God, I am heartily sorry for
having offended you, and I detest
all my sins, because of Your just
punishments, but most of all because
they offend You, my God, who are
all-good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of
Your grace, to sin no more and to
avoid the near occasion of sin.

Note the first line. You are required to say this before the priest can absolve you of your sins. And no, you can’t just say you’re sorry and not mean it. God knows what’s in your heart.

It should be said that “feeling sorry” doesn’t mean you have to browbeat yourself and feel overwhelmed with guilt. It means you recognize that you did something you shouldn’t have and resolve to try not to do it again.

 

[porthos11]

So today I was playing a video game, I got mad and said the Lord’s name in vain. After I thought “oh o can just confess that” i didn’t really feel sorry. I want to confess it though, and I guess since I’m writing this I do feel kinda sorry now, but what if this happens again? If I confess something and I don’t feel sorry will I be forgiven?

The sorrow required for worthy Confession is not how you feel. Real contrition, be it perfect or imperfect is an act of the will and part of it is to resolve to not commit it again.

Do you hate the sin you committed? Do you resolve to work harder to avoid it? Then you are sorry. Confess.

 

[CatholicRaven]

It should be said that “feeling sorry” doesn’t mean you have to browbeat yourself and feel overwhelmed with guilt. It means you recognize that you did something you shouldn’t have and resolve to try not to do it again.

porthos11:

The sorrow required for worthy Confession is not how you feel. Real contrition, be it perfect or imperfect is an act of the will and part of it is to resolve to not commit it again.

It’s not as much an emotion as it’s a choice: “I know this was wrong, I admit I shouldn’t have done it, and I’m going to resolve not to do it again.”

Also, fearing punishment for the sin is enough of a reason to go to Confession–though we should certainly strive to repent of sin out of love for God.

 

[Weejee]

**Sometimes I cuss and swear (like last night, when I dropped some mail on the floor.) I’m embarassed in front of God, so I confess it.

Sometimes (too often!) I take the name of God in vain, like saying, “Oh My God” or worse. Then I will myself to confess it, because I know God doesn’t like it (Thou Shalt not take the name of the Lord Thy God in vain." But sometimes I confess it before I feel sorrow. I know I’ll feel sorrow later. Sometimes the feeling is just slow in coming. Sometimes I have to let the mind lead the way.**

 

[porthos11]

**Sometimes I cuss and swear (like last night, when I dropped some mail on the floor.) I’m embarassed in front of God, so I confess it.

Sometimes (too often!) I take the name of God in vain, like saying, “Oh My God” or worse. Then I will myself to confess it, because I know God doesn’t like it (Thou Shalt not take the name of the Lord Thy God in vain." But sometimes I confess it before I feel sorrow. I know I’ll feel sorrow later. Sometimes the feeling is just slow in coming. Sometimes I have to let the mind lead the way.**

Again, it’s not about feeling.

 

[Vico]

So today I was playing a video game, I got mad and said the Lord’s name in vain. After I thought “oh o can just confess that” i didn’t really feel sorry. I want to confess it though, and I guess since I’m writing this I do feel kinda sorry now, but what if this happens again? If I confess something and I don’t feel sorry will I be forgiven?

Sorrow of the soul is contrary to joy of the soul.

Questions to ask yourself to determine venial vs mortal:

• Was there forethought before speaking or was it spontaneous?
• Do you have an established habit of swearing that particular way?
• Did I fail to avoid a near occasion of grave sin?

If it was a mortal sin, then what is required minimally for sacramental confession of a grave sin, is attrition:

**Catechism****1451 **Among the penitent’s acts contrition occupies first place. Contrition is "sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again."50

**1452 **When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called “perfect” (contrition of charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible.51

**1453 **The contrition called “imperfect” (or “attrition”) is also a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself however, imperfect contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance.52