A
adolfo123
Guest
I have gone to confession many times and their is no real change in me, I am starting to feel that the sacrament is powerless… Although I know its a biblical sacrament; what can I do … ?
- Status
J
jpm1977
Guest
I’m no theologian, but I am in RCIA, and based on my instruction there, I do not think the point of the sacrament is to change you as if by magic. The church knows we’re all sinners. The point of reconciliation is to provide real forgiveness you for your sins, and by confessing them, to allow you to see areas where you may be weak. In time, it may allow you to change yourself in your spiritual life, but in some that may take a lifetime.
Do not expect to walk out of the confessional booth never to sin again, or you may be disappointed. As long as you are sincere in your desire to not sin, and desire to repent, think of reconciliation as a kind of spiritual maintenance. It allows you to forgive yourself and not be held hostage by regret or shame. So freed, you can more easily develop yourself in your spiritual life with the knowledge that you’ve been forgiven.
Do not expect to walk out of the confessional booth never to sin again, or you may be disappointed. As long as you are sincere in your desire to not sin, and desire to repent, think of reconciliation as a kind of spiritual maintenance. It allows you to forgive yourself and not be held hostage by regret or shame. So freed, you can more easily develop yourself in your spiritual life with the knowledge that you’ve been forgiven.
M
Matrix_Refugee
Guest
I’m minded of a proverb from a Hassidic Jewish rabbi: “I dance, I stumble and fall, then I get up and keep on dancing.” The point of confession is to help you get back up so you can keep on dancing…
D
DallasCatholic
Guest
I would strongly suggest you find a Priest or Deacon to act as a spritual advisor. Understanding sin as well as man’s nature is very important and not easily done alone. Many religous orders have Priests/Friars who may be willing to act as a Spritiual Director for you if you do not have one available in your parish…whatever it takes find one!I have gone to confession many times and their is no real change in me, I am starting to feel that the sacrament is powerless… Although I know its a biblical sacrament; what can I do … ?
G
Godfollower
Guest
The Sacrament is powerful, but it doesn’t prevent you from sinning. That isn’t the point.
God gave us free will. Sin involves our use of our free will to choose “not-God” instead of “God” (this is literally true; if you lack free will, you can’t sin – by definition). If the Sacrament caused you not to sin, it would be removing your free will – and God won’t do that to us.
What the Sacrament of Reconciliation does is reunite us with the Church and with God following our commission of sin. The forgiveness we receive from the Sacrament removes the obstacles to the relationship between us and God.
Now, as a bonus, the Sacrament also bestows grace on us, a little “boost” if you will, that can help us avoid sin. But the choice to sin or not is still fully ours.
I understand your frustration; we all do. Ask any priest, and you’ll be told that they hear the same sins over and over again, and if they are a regular confessor to a particular person, they hear the same sins over and over again from that person. We all struggle with temptation, and we all fall repeatedly.
Get back up, and keep on trying. That’s all we’re asked to do.
God gave us free will. Sin involves our use of our free will to choose “not-God” instead of “God” (this is literally true; if you lack free will, you can’t sin – by definition). If the Sacrament caused you not to sin, it would be removing your free will – and God won’t do that to us.
What the Sacrament of Reconciliation does is reunite us with the Church and with God following our commission of sin. The forgiveness we receive from the Sacrament removes the obstacles to the relationship between us and God.
Now, as a bonus, the Sacrament also bestows grace on us, a little “boost” if you will, that can help us avoid sin. But the choice to sin or not is still fully ours.
I understand your frustration; we all do. Ask any priest, and you’ll be told that they hear the same sins over and over again, and if they are a regular confessor to a particular person, they hear the same sins over and over again from that person. We all struggle with temptation, and we all fall repeatedly.
Get back up, and keep on trying. That’s all we’re asked to do.
M
mercygate
Guest
Exercise the virtues of Faith and Hope.I have gone to confession many times and their is no real change in me, I am starting to feel that the sacrament is powerless… Although I know its a biblical sacrament; what can I do … ?
D
Dolphincrc
Guest
First the Sacraments are not magic- any bad habits you have acquired will not just magically disappear. It has taken me over 20 years to get rid of some of mine and am still working on others.I have gone to confession many times and their is no real change in me, I am starting to feel that the sacrament is powerless… Although I know its a biblical sacrament; what can I do … ?
So I suggest you keep going to confession but also the Eucharist, daily prayer, spiritual reading, etc. Also remember to “avoid the near occassion of sin”- what’s the use of confessing if you keep putting yourself in situation that may lead to the same sins. Lent is a great opportunity to give up those things that are prventing you from changing.
God bless you.
- Status