CONFESSION
A Return to Friendship with God“But now I have acknowledged my sins; my guilt I did not hide.
I said “I will confess my offense to the Lord.” And you, Lord, have forgiven the guilt of my sin.”
Psalm 32:5
“But now I have acknowledged my sins; my guilt I did not hide.
I said “I will confess my offense to the Lord.” And you, Lord, have forgiven the guilt of my sin.”
Psalm 32:5
LET US RETURN… NOT TO BLAMING, HIDING & COVERING…
…BUT TO CONFESSION, PENANCE & RECONCILIATION.
LET US RETURN TO COMMUNION WITH GOD.
Since the Original Sin & our expulsion from Eden, confession is our way back… to the Tree of Life. These are some of the biblical & historical roots & reasons for confessing our sins.
The first step: recalling my sins… and the times I’ve fallen short of living a Christian life? Here are some ways to reflect on how we’ve failed to love God, neighbor, & even my enemies…
The second step: these are the basics for confessing your sins and receiving penance and absolution from the priest… in the person of Christ (in persona Christi).
In “The Dialogue” with God the Father, Saint Catherine of Sienna speaks of a more perfect contrition… or a a sorrow for our sins out of a deep love for God (vs a fear of hell or punishment).
Why Confess My Sins... Especially to a Priest?
CONFESSION AS A RECONCILIATION... A RETURN TO FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…”
2 Corinthians 5:18
“So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.
We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20
LET US RETURN… NOT TO BLAMING, HIDING & COVERING…
…BUT TO CONFESSION, PENANCE & RECONCILIATION.
LET US RETURN TO COMMUNION WITH GOD.
The First Step: An Examination of Conscience
RECALLING THE WAYS WE'VE FALLEN SHORT OF LOVING GOD & NEIGHBOR“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…”
2 Corinthians 5:18
“So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.
We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20
LET US RETURN… NOT TO BLAMING, HIDING & COVERING…
…BUT TO CONFESSION, PENANCE & RECONCILIATION.
LET US RETURN TO COMMUNION WITH GOD.
The Second Step: Going to Confession
BASIC STEPS FOR CONFESSING OUR SINS... & RECEIVING PENANCE & ABSOLUTIONBasic Steps
Basic Steps/Expectations
- Oh my God, I am heartily sorrow for having offended thee…
- x
- x
- x
Act of Contrition (#1)
Act of Contrition (#1)
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 occasions of sin.
Amen.
*From the Order of Penance, nos. 45 and 92.
Act of Contrition (#2)
Act of Contrition #2
O my God, I am sorry and repent with all my heart
for all the wrong I have done and for the good I have failed to do,
because by sinning I have offended you, who are all good and worthy to be loved above all things. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid the occasions of sin. Through the merits of the Passion of our Savior Jesus Christ, Lord, have mercy.
*From the Order of Penance, nos. 45 and 92.
Act of Contrition (#3)
Act of Contrition (#3)
Lord Jesus, Son of God,
have mercy on me, a sinner.
*From the Order of Penance, nos. 45 and 92.
“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…”
2 Corinthians 5:18
“So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.
We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20
LET US RETURN… NOT TO BLAMING, HIDING & COVERING…
…BUT TO CONFESSION, PENANCE & RECONCILIATION.
LET US RETURN TO COMMUNION WITH GOD.
Another Step: Toward a More Perfect Contrition
NURTURING A LOVING SORROW FOR HAVING OFFENDED OUR GOD“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…”
2 Corinthians 5:18
“So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.
We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20
LET US RETURN… NOT TO BLAMING, HIDING & COVERING…
…BUT TO CONFESSION, PENANCE & RECONCILIATION.
LET US RETURN TO COMMUNION WITH GOD.
Returning to the source and summit of Goodness, Beauty, and Truth… returning to sacredconTemplation:
Let us return to joyful obedience and to the WORD OF GOD…
Let us return to Original BEAUTY, to Sacrificial Giving and the HOLY MASS…
ORATIO
Let us return to Original TRUTH and to our knees in humble PRAYER…
