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Well maybe not so subtle.
From that what I've heard from others it seems that I am not alone in having some particular sin that I struggle with more than others. I won't got into the details here but lets just say that the sin I struggle with most is of the mortal, no communion, need to seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation type.
And seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation is exactly what I did this past Thursday. I went to confession and then to Mass and received communion for the first time in 2 1/2 weeks. And thought to myself....."okay let's try to not have to come back to confession for a few weeks." I'm quickly learning that isn't a good attitude to have. Because two days later, WHAMMY, same sin. TWO DAYS...that has got to be some sort of record. And so my thoughts have been contrite for having offended God but also a lot of regretting having to go back to confession so soon.
So today at Mass as I was sitting in my pew during the communion procession. And as things would turn out the communion hymn was "I've Received the Bread of Life" the refrain of which is, "I've received the Bread of Life, and my heart is filled with joy." What a reminder that my thoughts shouldn't be on self pity for having to go back to confession. But rather, I should be focused on the break in communion with Christ and his Church and the lack of joy in my heart that I created through my actions.
Christ said, "Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you." -John: 6:54
The life we gain when we receive our Lord in the Eucharist is that joy that fills our hearts. Without it we have no life and no joy, for true life and joy can only come from God.
Even though we should be diligent to avoid sin, we must be cautious to not become overly exuberant in our worry about sin to the point that it prevents us from living a life pleasing to God since excessive worrying can cause harm and be sinful in its own right. However, when we do sin we should not dread confession but should embrace and rejoice in this wonderful sacrament.
From that what I've heard from others it seems that I am not alone in having some particular sin that I struggle with more than others. I won't got into the details here but lets just say that the sin I struggle with most is of the mortal, no communion, need to seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation type.
And seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation is exactly what I did this past Thursday. I went to confession and then to Mass and received communion for the first time in 2 1/2 weeks. And thought to myself....."okay let's try to not have to come back to confession for a few weeks." I'm quickly learning that isn't a good attitude to have. Because two days later, WHAMMY, same sin. TWO DAYS...that has got to be some sort of record. And so my thoughts have been contrite for having offended God but also a lot of regretting having to go back to confession so soon.
So today at Mass as I was sitting in my pew during the communion procession. And as things would turn out the communion hymn was "I've Received the Bread of Life" the refrain of which is, "I've received the Bread of Life, and my heart is filled with joy." What a reminder that my thoughts shouldn't be on self pity for having to go back to confession. But rather, I should be focused on the break in communion with Christ and his Church and the lack of joy in my heart that I created through my actions.
Christ said, "Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you." -John: 6:54
The life we gain when we receive our Lord in the Eucharist is that joy that fills our hearts. Without it we have no life and no joy, for true life and joy can only come from God.
Even though we should be diligent to avoid sin, we must be cautious to not become overly exuberant in our worry about sin to the point that it prevents us from living a life pleasing to God since excessive worrying can cause harm and be sinful in its own right. However, when we do sin we should not dread confession but should embrace and rejoice in this wonderful sacrament.
2 comments:
*nods* I know what you mean. I was pretty bummed out when--after my first Confession--I realised I was not so holy to avoid having to go again before my first Communion. I felt like such a sham, such a failure.
One of the questions I thought of posing to a priest friend was "why doesn't Confession blot out all sin, including future ones", but I realised it was a silly question. God has given us a beautiful gift: free will, and that means there's a heck of a lot of work for us to do on our parts. Of course, it doesn't obviate the need for his grace either.
Wonderful post, Chris. Thank you.
Confession is humbling and contradictory to the lives of many in our world. Imagine this, we kneel down and admit our wrongs!
Yet, Confession is absolutely necessary for our souls. I love/need to take advantage of the Sacrament on a regular basis.
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