The Top 3 Reasons That I Became Catholic.....and Always will Be

Excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church on Confession: paragraphs 1420-1498

Fr. Mike Schmitz always presents an uplifting, approachable explanation about particulars of the Faith. In this video he gives great advice to those who, for one reason or other, have not gone to Confession for a while.

How do you remember the sins you've committed ten years ago? By using an examination of conscience, you can see where you have failed to love God. Where and how did you say "no" to Him over the course of the time you've been away?

Sin breaks our relationship with God. Confession is the opportunity to restore that bond. Just as you would say you're sorry to someone you've injured, telling God you are sorry for offending Him repairs the damage you have incurred.

Key Takeaways

• The Holy Spirit convicts us of what we have done wrong if we give Him the time and space to listen to His voice.
• A good Examination of Conscience is a necessary tool to determine how we have missed the mark of loving God as we should.
• If you unintentionally forget to mention a mortal sin in Confession, that sin is forgiven, but you should mention it the next time you go to Confession.
• Confession is always about restoring our relationship with God. We should try to remove every impediment which stands in the way of loving Him.
• Fr. Schmitz has co-authored a book "Pocket Guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation"

Questions for Reflection

1. Is there something that is keeping you from Confession?
2. Are you willing to prepare yourself properly to receive the sacrament ?
3. Does examining your conscience seem overwhelming, scary, intimidating, or painful?

Confession is not a place of sadness. It is one of the most joyful places in the world. First, you get to experience God's mercy and the love that God gave to us through the cross. Second, it is a place where people are striving to grow in holiness.

Fr. Mike iterates that the priest does not remember your sins. Sins are not fascinating, but PEOPLE are fascinating. Sins are boring. God is more interested in you than in the sins you have committed.

The heart of the priest is revealed in Confession. He recognizes his own failures and faults. The priest knows Christ has paid the price of the forgiveness of our sins and joins his sufferings to that of Christ for the love of the penitent. In the confessional , the priest gets to see God winning His children back.

Key Takeaways

• It is not sad for a priest to hear people's sins in Confession.
• Confession is a place to see God's Mercy in action.

In confession

• the discouraged are lifted up
• the wounded are healed
• the lost are found
• Sin is a failure. Going to Confession and saying, "I'm not giving up on a God who has not given up on me" is a victory!
• You are a part of God's masterpiece
• Priests are God's "garbage men".
• Confession is a place of Victory!

Questions for Reflection

1. Do you think of yourself as someone who is trying to love God more or someone who has failed when you go to Confession?
2. What do you think of Fr. Mike Schmitz's image of a priest being God's garbage man?
3. What part of this video had the greatest impact on you? Why?

Fr. Michael Nixon discusses the authority of priests to offer forgiveness of sins through the ministry of the Church.

Jesus gave His disciples the power to forgive sins when He breathed His Spirit on them after the Resurrection. Through apostolic succession, each priest has the same power entrusted to him. This gift was given to the Church so that the forgiveness of Christ can go out to the whole world.

Through this power and authority of Jesus, we are absolved of our sins. Reconciliation between us and God and the community is obtained.

Key Takeaways

• Christ established the Sacrament of Reconciliation to bring forgiveness to the world.
• Priests represent Christ.
• Authority to forgive sins is lived in and through the priest.
• One person's sins affect the whole body of Christ.

Questions

1. Do you believe in the authority of priests to forgive your sins?
2. Why is going to a priest to confess your sins different than just saying them to yourself?
3. What do you think of the reality that our sins harm the Body of Christ?

Looking for a different way to examine your conscience? Using the Beatitudes is a wonderful tool to see how we are not living up to the Lord's standards. "Am I gentle with others or am I harsh?" "Do I truly yearn for God's Will to be done, in my life and in all things?" " Do I love purity and honesty?" These probing questions and more are in this beautiful examination.

In this short, humorous video created by the Institute for New Media, we are given the boost we may need getting to Confession. It covers many of the fears we may face returning to the Sacrament if we've committed a sin we are especially embarrassed about.

Key Takeaways

• The video is short and to the point
• Clever images and vocalizations used to ease anxiety about Confession
• Highlights God's Mercy
• Emphasizes Confession is not about judgement

Questions for Reflection

1. Did this video put your mind at ease regarding Confession?
2. Is it easier for you to believe that Confession is not something you should fear after watching this video?
3. Can you identify what's keeping you from returning to Confession?