DID WE MAKE A GOOD CONFESSION? ARE OUR SINS FORGIVEN?

DID WE MAKE A GOOD CONFESSION? ARE OUR SINS FORGIVEN?

Eileen Renders

As practicing Catholics, we are required to confess our sins, do penance, and receive forgiveness. Some of us, however, may question whether or not God has truly forgiven us. Let’s do an examination of conscience to see how good our confession was.

1.     Did we confess all of our sins and not hold back on any sin we did not want to confess?

2.     Do we feel it has been a long time since our last Confession, and we are not sure whether we have confessed all our sins of the past? In such cases, we might request a general Confession from the priest. He will ask us to recall our sins, and any sin that bothers us, as we are not certain it was confessed.

3.     Have we made our Confession based upon only our fear that we may not get to heaven, or be condemned to hell? If this be our motive, it is without sincerity, and does not show sorrow for having offended God, and could be considered a less than acceptable Confession.

4.     Anyone who does receive Holy Communion without making an honest Confession, and without the promise of sincerely working our utmost not to sin again, may be making a less than acceptable Confession to God.

5.     Adults who are “living in sin”, that is, living with a partner without marriage, and engaging in sex, going to Confession, and confessing this sin will not receive absolution if they plan on continuing this lifestyle. If they conceal this sin to the priest and go to Holy Communion, they are committing a sacrilege.

What describes a good Confession?

1.     Frequenting the sacraments regularly, thereby receiving ongoing graces, and being less likely to forget to confess sins of the past.

2.     Our closing Confessional prayer should be said as a promise, a commitment to God. “Oh, my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee. And I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell. But, most of all, because they offend thee, my God.  Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly desire, with the help of thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.”

These words are to be said with sincerity and a commitment to sin no more.

When we make a “good Confession”, we will feel God’s presence after receiving Holy Communion. We will enjoy a clear conscience when we are not living in sin, but praying and working toward sinning no more.

The reward is this: God will reside within us and speak to our hearts.

How do we know this?

When we make a “good Confession”, we will feel God’s presence after receiving Holy Communion. We will enjoy a clear conscience when we are not living in sin, but praying and working toward sinning no more.

The reward is this: God will reside within us and speak to our hearts.

How do we know this? John 14:23 Jesus stated, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him”.

John 14:27 Jesus promises a peace that is not of this world, which acts as an inner guide, distinguishing his presence from worldly anxiety.

Love and Charity: A genuine, interior, and growing love for Jesus and for others (charity) is a sign of His life in the heart.

The Eucharist: The Catholic faith teaches that receiving Jesus in the Eucharist is the most intimate, tangible way He makes home in us and speaks to us.