Tag Archives: confession

Why You Should Not Take Gods Mercy For Granted

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Minor or venial sins can be confessed directly to God, but for grave or mortal sins, which crush the spiritual life out of the soul, God has instituted a different means for obtaining forgiveness—the sacrament known popularly as confession, penance, or reconciliation.

As soon as Jesus rose from the dead and earned salvation for us, he brought his apostles a new gift. After speaking peace to them, he said, “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you” (John 20:21). Just as Jesus was sent by the Father to reconcile the world to God, Jesus sent the apostles to continue his mission.

Jesus then breathed on the apostles. This is a verse that is often passed over, but it has extraordinary significance because it is only the second time in all of Scripture where God breathes on anyone. The other instance was at the moment of creation when God breathed his own life into the nostrils of Adam. This should tell us that something of great importance is taking place. Upon doing this, Jesus said,

“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John 20:22–23).

But we must be careful not to take God’s mercy for granted. Confession needs to include sincere repentance, changing the course of our life. Msgr. Jim Lisante, Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Massapequa Park, NY. explains this often missed component

 

 

 

If you are able to make a donation to support Msgr. Jim and his parish, please click this PayPal link:

 

NFL Quarterback Phil Rivers Talks About Confession

I felt the same way about confession Phil did as a little boy. That all changed once I learned the transforming power confession on our lives. Regretfully many Catholics do not take advantage of this precious sacrament Jesus gave us

This sacrament is rooted in the mission God gave to Christ in his capacity as the Son of man on earth to go and forgive sins (cf. Matt. 9:6). Thus, the crowds who witnessed this new power “glorified God, who had given such authority to men” (Matt. 9:8; note the plural “men”). After his resurrection, Jesus passed on his mission to forgive sins to his ministers, telling them, “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. . . . Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John 20:21–23).

Even modern psychologist recognize the benefit of confessing to a third person.  Regular confession helps overcome vice, restores peace, and can make you stronger.  Confessing to a third person( Priest) bring humility and offers the opportunity to discuss feelings and behaviors with an objective third party rather than holding them internally.

Here is Why Catholics confess their sins to a Priest