What is the best way to get over a chronic sin?
A)
Stop going to confession until you have it
handled?
B)
Skip confessing the particular sin because it is
an addiction?
C)
Confess it regularly over and over and over?
I think intellectually Catholics would say “C” but in
practice choose “A”. It can be embarrassing
and humbling to confess the same sin regularly.
It dents our self-esteem. It
bursts the bubble of our self-mastery.
But you don’t get over a toothache by avoiding the faulty tooth. You don’t mend a relationship by taking time apart. And healing from sin comes through the Church
with touch and prayer – the interaction of persons in community with God.
I had a chiropractor for a spell that I would go to see when
my back hurt. I would tell him that I had
some big work to do and that I didn’t come to see him until after it was done
so he could fix my back. He chided me
and said that the time to come to see him was BEFORE I did the “back breaking”
work so that I could do the work more healthily.
Do you have a problem with sin “A”? Go to confession at least once a month even
if you don’t “need” it. Have the graces
to see you through the temptation to come.
Pray for strength when you are strong.
Don’t wait until you are lonely, angry, hungry, or tired – don’t wait
until temptation is pulling on your arm and whispering in your ear. Don’t get caught at battle time naked. Be prepared!
And don’t despair the lost battle. It is not about the battle, it is about the
war. Go to confession. Confess boldly. Receive your new breastplate, new sword, new
helmet, and charge out into battle. If
your sword is broken or your helmet dented, come back and get a new one. Employ what you learned in battle. Try a new strategy. Nerve your arms and head back out into
battle. Do so bravely, confidently, prayerfully,
dutifully. Your opponent is counting on
your discouragement. Laugh at him as you
stand in the confessional line.
N.B. This weekend is
Divine Mercy Sunday! Check out your
parish’s confession schedule!
5 comments:
where did you get the photo of the confessional?
rmk
Dear Father,
Until recently, my pastor for 30plus years was my confessor for 30plus years. I confessed the same sins so often, we had them numbered. I would say, "Bless me Father for I have sinned. I did #04, #07 and #12." And Father would say, " Oh No, not #12!"
Fantastic post! Love the battle/war imagery! Where's the nearest confessional?
Just wow, Father.
Exactly what I needed to hear; I'll be in the box tomorrow!
Thank you.
Thank you, Father. I can't wait until Friday!
Post a Comment