while confessing, is the presence of a priest required?

[concretecamper]

love the analogy, lets go with it

ok

I am glad you see it as an option too

but the option is there. You might want to hang out at the reservoir. I bet you will be surprised at the amount of people filling their buckets utilizing the main source.

Just might be all those non catholic “protestant” Christians and the like
Jesus can fill more buckets at the reservoir than He can from scattered taps.

Catholic Church is right down the street, I still prefer the reservoir

oh well, I prefer the abnormal way. Jesus is a lot bigger at the reservoir.

and if you believe my refusal to be normal and use the tap God will refuse to forgive my sins and deny me access to Heaven, well then, me and every other “protestant” Christians and the like is doomed.

When you are in heaven, send down some marshmallows.

I love toasted marshmallows

Be careful where you drink from…

And the name of the star is called Wormwood. And the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

 

[onHisteam]

I was thinking when Jesus healed the blind man; he spit on the mud and smeared it on the blind man’s eyes. Yuck. How unsanitary and disgusting! And yet that was how it happened.

Good analogy with the blind man, having to go through yuk to get healed.

Similarly, it come to reason too that when we want our sin forgiven, we may need to go through the, yuck, unsanitary ritual.

yes it is not easy being humble before the Lord, admitting guilt

You know how difficult it is to tell your intimate sins and shortcomings to another person.

Yes, been there … done that

I have to submit to the yuck, the unsanitary mud mixed in spittle being put over my eyes.
I have to submit to the yuck, the unsanitary mud mixed in spittle being put over my eyes.
I have no choice, beggar is not chooser.

Reuben, I believe the only thing you have to submit to is not a thing, it is a who …
The only one you have to submit to is Jesus Christ

I believe you have a choice …

I would rather in million ways just to tell Jesus my sin in the privacy of my prayer and that’s it.

Then do it.
Reuben, If you repent and confess right there where ever you are as sincere as you would if you were in a confessional, do you believe God would not forgive you of the sin/s you confess?

But it is not to be.

well it will not be if you do not confess. Release your burdens to Him my friend
All you have to do is take the first step…believe, confess and repent

not trying to change your religion Reuben,
He is waiting for you right where you are

Bible says,
You do not have because you do not ask
James 4:2
.
Do not go to sleep tonight without feeling His unconditional love and forgiving mercy and grace

God bless

 

[John_Q_Sinner]

Hello,

In the Scripture we read this account:

[BIBLEDRB]mark 2:5-11[/BIBLEDRB]

Note here Christ says the Son of man and not “The Son of God” because He is relating to His humanity; and note that the Jews said rightfully that no one but God could forgive sins. Now this instance shows something powerful and that is that God’s Divine power will work through Humanity to forgive sins.

Then later we see Christ commission the Apostles saying:

[BIBLEDRB]john 20:23[/BIBLEDRB]

Christ gave them the Authority to forgive sins in His name, and with His power. The other thing we want to note is the only way the Apostles could do this is if people confessed to them since we know the Apostles are not mind readers.

Then we read Saint Paul talk more about this ministry of reconciliation:

[BIBLEDRB]2 Corinthians 2:10 [/BIBLEDRB]

[BIBLEDRB]2 corinthians 5:18-20[/BIBLEDRB]

Note that Paul says he pardons sins in the person of Christ, and that because of this office given to him as an ambassador of Christ, he also has the word of reconciliation; which is absolution.

This is why if we have committed mortal sins we must go to confession and seek absolution by way of the sacrament of reconciliation. By this sacrament we come to Jesus who is working through the Priest and we get absolved from our sins. The Catholic understands that when we run away from this sacrament we run away from Christ. Who would want to do that? Think of what it means to reject an ambassador of Christ!

[BIBLEDRB]john 13:20[/BIBLEDRB]

God is merciful; there is no doubt about this. In the Catholic faith we believe a perfect act of contrition with the intent to go to confession will obtain by the grace of God the forgiveness of mortal sins, provided the sacrament of confession was not put off willfully by the individual. But it should also be noted that a perfect act of contrition can only be made with perfect contrition. Perfect contrition is a heartfelt sorrow for offending God. Imperfect contrition is being sorry for sin because you will go to Hell. Imperfect contrition will not suffice.

 

[jmcrae]

love the analogy, lets go with it

ok

I am glad you see it as an option too

but the option is there. You might want to hang out at the reservoir. I bet you will be surprised at the amount of people filling their buckets utilizing the main source.

Just might be all those non catholic “protestant” Christians and the like
Jesus can fill more buckets at the reservoir than He can from scattered taps.

Catholic Church is right down the street, I still prefer the reservoir

oh well, I prefer the abnormal way. Jesus is a lot bigger at the reservoir.

In our case, the “reservoir” (Jesus) is in Heaven. We can’t just go over there - there is a barrier called “death” between here and there.

We won’t be able to access Jesus directly (under normal circumstances) until after we cross over that barrier - except by means of His Sacraments.

In extraordinary circumstances it is He who comes to us - and we can’t make Him do so, just because we want to go around the rules that He has set up for us. Remember what happened to the wedding guest who came in at the window instead of coming in through the door? (Matthew 22:1-14)

and if you believe my refusal to be normal and use the tap God will refuse to forgive my sins and deny me access to Heaven, well then, me and every other “protestant” Christians and the like is doomed.

I honestly don’t have any way of knowing that. I know that God has His special ones who will go to Heaven no matter what they do here on this earth. Problem is, we have no way of knowing who those people are. Even they themselves don’t know, since "the way of a fool is right in his own eyes (Proverbs 12:15) and “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

We all like to fancy that we are God’s special ones, and that He would never allow the bad things that happen to other people ever to happen to us. But what if it turns out that we are just deceiving ourselves? What if it turns out that we are simply not all that special, and that we are just the members of the crowd scene? (After all, someone has to be … ) What if, in fact, God’s rules do apply to us?

Hadn’t we better follow them anyway, just in case? And then if it turns out that we are among the special ones who would have made it anyway, we still haven’t lost anything by setting a good example for others to follow.

When you are in heaven, send down some marshmallows.

I love toasted marshmallows

Unfortunately, there is no way to cross over from Heaven into Hell, nor the other way, so let us hope that the Devil keeps his own supply of marshmallows.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

I was thinking when Jesus healed the blind man; he spit on the mud and smeared it on the blind man’s eyes. Yuck. How unsanitary and disgusting! And yet that was how it happened.

Similarly, it come to reason too that when we want our sin forgiven, we may need to go through the, yuck, unsanitary ritual. You know how difficult it is to tell your intimate sins and shortcomings to another person. I would rather in million ways just to tell Jesus my sin in the privacy of my prayer and that’s it. But it is not to be. I have to submit to the yuck, the unsanitary mud mixed in spittle being put over my eyes. I have no choice, beggar is not chooser.

I’ve never thought about it this way. I like this analogy.

 

[onHisteam]

Well…do you think Christ lessened the work? Removed the work? Or we should even work harder? did it lessen the requirement to be forgiven of our sins?

you wont like my answer
Jesus declared “It is finished” on the cross right?
The work is finished , PERIOD
The only thing I need to do to be forgive is
Admit guilt
Believe in Jesus
Confess and repent my sin

the work I do is out of total appreciation of what the Lord has done for me
There is no “work” I do because I feel I have to do it or else I will not be forgiven

Did Christ also not say to carry our cross?

Yes
I live in debt, have physical pain I wish wasn’t there, no job, brother who is diabetic,
want me to go on with more?

Actually…there is a lot more to it:

sure there is

What do you think David does here?

David eventually confessed

If you read what David did prior to this…it gives an example of true contrition:

ok

 

[jmcrae]

you wont like my answer
Jesus declared “It is finished” on the cross right?

The Passover of the New Covenant was finished. The Sacrifice was finished.

But we still have to eat of it, and partake of it. And we can do that here and now, today, by means of the Church that Jesus spent three years building on the Apostles, and the Sacraments that He gave to them.

(Because how else are we to eat and drink the flesh and blood of a man who died nearly 2,000 years ago, on the other side of the world? )

The only thing I need to do to be forgive is
Admit guilt

Out loud.

Believe in Jesus

Out loud.

Confess and repent my sin

Out loud.

the work I do is out of total appreciation of what the Lord has done for me
There is no “work” I do because I feel I have to do it or else I will not be forgiven

The Sacraments are not “work.” They are the means of grace.

 

[onHisteam]

In our case, the “reservoir” (Jesus) is in Heaven. We can’t just go over there - there is a barrier called “death” between here and there.

I received many of blessings from the reservoir (Jesus)…I have not experienced death once

We won’t be able to access Jesus directly (under normal circumstances) until after we cross over that barrier - except by means of His Sacraments.

If you wan to believe a barrier in blocking access to the reservoir then keep drawing from the tap.

Unfortunately, there is no way to cross over from Heaven into Hell, nor the other way, so let us hope that the Devil keeps his own supply of marshmallows.

lol

 

[Reuben_J]

Good analogy with the blind man, having to go through yuk to get healed.

yes it is not easy being humble before the Lord, admitting guilt

Yes, been there … done that

Reuben, I believe the only thing you have to submit to is not a thing, it is a who …
The only one you have to submit to is Jesus Christ

I believe you have a choice …

Then do it.
Reuben, If you repent and confess right there where ever you are as sincere as you would if you were in a confessional, do you believe God would not forgive you of the sin/s you confess?

well it will not be if you do not confess. Release your burdens to Him my friend
All you have to do is take the first step…believe, confess and repent

not trying to change your religion Reuben,
He is waiting for you right where you are

Bible says,
You do not have because you do not ask
James 4:2
.
Do not go to sleep tonight without feeling His unconditional love and forgiving mercy and grace

God bless

Thank you very much for the exhortation and encouraging words. God bless you brother.

Thanks God, in a humble way I have learned to submit my life to God, though not always perfect, but I have done it by the power of the Holy Spirit. I am running the race and pray that I continue to do so until the end. Please pray for me that my faithfulness to God remains strong and that should I go down, his Spirit would raise me up. And I know that because he is a faithful God, he is faithful to those who are faithful to him but more so for those who seek him and he/she will live.

Glad that by the grace of God that I am able to examine myself and offer my sins to God especially at the end of the day and ask God to forgive me of my sin, to give me rest so that I will have the strength to get up in the morning to rejoice in the day the Lord has made and to revel in the new day for every morning is a new morning for those who walk with the Lord.

I am thankful to God that I can bring my sin to him in a gift he has instituted to his Church in the Sacrament of Confession, where I would be absolved, cleansed and purified so that I will be in a state of grace and be sanctified to receive his Body and Blood in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. To be nurtured and strengthen so that I can go out into the world to work out his commission, even if it is in a little way that I can do with the talent he has given me.

The Confession even though inconvenient, that I have to make time to do it, the reward is more than I could ever imagine. Not only my sin is forgiven but sometimes I am healed. The opening of my eyes and the cleansing of my diseased skin are only but superficial but the healing is internal, my spirit. I appreciate God’s gift in the person of his ordained priests who as brothers would be able to minister to me.

Praise the Lord.

God bless.

Reuben

 

[onHisteam]

But we still have to eat of it, and partake of it. And we can do that here and now, today, by means of the Church that Jesus spent three years building on the Apostles, and the Sacraments that He gave to them.

(Because how else are we to eat and drink the flesh and blood of a man who died nearly 2,000 years ago, on the other side of the world? )

I am not Catholic you are
you believe in the real presence I do not

see you in paradise

Out loud. Out loud. Out loud.

I would not even give it a second thought…of course out loud

The Sacraments are not “work.” They are the means of grace.

speaking of grace …

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me…
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T’was Grace that taught…
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear…
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares…
we have already come.
T’was Grace that brought us safe thus far…
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me…
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be…
as long as life endures.

When we’ve been here ten thousand years…
bright shining as the sun.
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise…
then when we’ve first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me…
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

God bless

 

[jmcrae]

I am not Catholic you are
you believe in the real presence I do not

Only one of us can be right.

 

[John_Q_Sinner]

There is a difference between what God can do and what God did do. God could have wiped sin from the face of the earth with the wave of His hand. What God did do was send His only Begotten Son from Heaven to die on the Cross for our sins.

Likewise God can forgive any sin by any means; however, what God did do was found a Church and instituted 7 sacraments which His Church and her ambassadors will use to convey His graces.

We are told to confess one to another (James 5:16)

Who are the others we confess to? The ones who have the authority to forgive or retain our sins, of course (john 20:23)

How will we know they are the ones? We know because they will be known as ambassadors of Christ within the Church! (2 Corinth 5 18-20)

How can we test this to be true?

Find your Christian brother and ask them if they have the power to forgive or retain your sins. If they don’t and don’t know of anyone in their Church that can, then this is a hint you are in the wrong Church.

 

[JRKH]

Only one of us can be right.

And there in lies the rub…especially when both Jesus and St Paul placed such importance on it…

Peace
James

 

[onHisteam]

Is it automatic? And if so, then why was Dismas (the “good” thief) forgiven, but not Gestas (the “bad” thief)?

one thief challenged Jesus …if you are the King save yourself and save me too
the other thief repented and said he was getting His just punishment, and expressed his belief in Jesus acknowledging Jesus did not deserve the cross

Doesn’t God need to know that we are sincere today?

problem with not being clear combined with taking things out of context

“That is old testament” referred to the animal sacrifices not to the sincerity of confessing
sorry I was not clear on that

 

[onHisteam]

Only one of us can be right.

And there in lies the rub…especially when both Jesus and St Paul placed such importance on it…

Peace
James

Interpretation of scripture

you right …on of us is right in their belief… bread changes to His body at every mass or it doesn’t

You are going to heaven and so will I

If we stay on the boat

God bless

 

[JRKH]

Interpretation of scripture.

A dangerous thing when done outside of the ekklesia…Scripture teaches against this.

you right …on of us is right in their belief… bread changes to His body at every mass or it doesn’t

Yep…

You are going to heaven and so will I

Are you sure???

If we stay on the boat

And how do you know that you are on the boat?

Peace
James

 

[onHisteam]

There is a difference between what God can do and what God did do. God could have wiped sin from the face of the earth with the wave of His hand. What God did do was send His only Begotten Son from Heaven to die on the Cross for our sins.

Likewise God can forgive any sin by any means; however, what God did do was found a Church and instituted 7 sacraments which His Church and her ambassadors will use to convey His graces.

We are told to confess one to another (James 5:16)

Who are the others we confess to? The ones who have the authority to forgive or retain our sins, of course (john 20:23)

How will we know they are the ones? We know because they will be known as ambassadors of Christ within the Church! (2 Corinth 5 18-20)

How can we test this to be true?

Find your Christian brother and ask them if they have the power to forgive or retain your sins. If they don’t and don’t know of anyone in their Church that can, then this is a hint you are in the wrong Church.

according to your advice I am in the wrong church…oh well see you in paradise
I am glad you are not God

 

[KendraDZ1902]

according to your advice I am in the wrong church…oh well see you in paradise
I am glad you are not God

Do you think we are all going to be worshiping in Heaven differently? Are we going to be divided into denomination? I don’t have the authority to say who does and doesn’t make it to Heaven, but I do think that we will all be praising God the same, true way.

 

[jmcrae]

according to your advice I am in the wrong church…oh well see you in paradise
I am glad you are not God

Ask yourself this: Why would Jesus have started a Church, if He didn’t want us to be members of it, or if He thought any church would do as long as they believe in Him, or something resembling Him? And why would He have established the Sacraments, if He didn’t want us to partake of them?

Just for something to do, to kill time for three years while waiting to be crucified?

 

[onHisteam]

Thank you very much for the exhortation and encouraging words. God bless you brother.

Thanks God, in a humble way I have learned to submit my life to God, though not always perfect, but I have done it by the power of the Holy Spirit. I am running the race and pray that I continue to do so until the end. Please pray for me that my faithfulness to God remains strong and that should I go down, his Spirit would raise me up. And I know that because he is a faithful God, he is faithful to those who are faithful to him but more so for those who seek him and he/she will live.

Glad that by the grace of God that I am able to examine myself and offer my sins to God especially at the end of the day and ask God to forgive me of my sin, to give me rest so that I will have the strength to get up in the morning to rejoice in the day the Lord has made and to revel in the new day for every morning is a new morning for those who walk with the Lord.

I am thankful to God that I can bring my sin to him in a gift he has instituted to his Church in the Sacrament of Confession, where I would be absolved, cleansed and purified so that I will be in a state of grace and be sanctified to receive his Body and Blood in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. To be nurtured and strengthen so that I can go out into the world to work out his commission, even if it is in a little way that I can do with the talent he has given me.

The Confession even though inconvenient, that I have to make time to do it, the reward is more than I could ever imagine. Not only my sin is forgiven but sometimes I am healed. The opening of my eyes and the cleansing of my diseased skin are only but superficial but the healing is internal, my spirit. I appreciate God’s gift in the person of his ordained priests who as brothers would be able to minister to me.

Praise the Lord.

God bless.

Reuben

wow Reuben God bless you, I never expected you to post. Glad you did. You are a true example for others to follow. That is a prayer from deep in your heart. Rest at ease tonight Brother …May the Lord break the chains … set you free … …