Fr. Michael Nixon continues discussing why going to Confession is helpful.
Fr. Michael Nixon
In Fr. Nixon's first video on Confession, he explains where the authority of the sacrament originated. Jesus has the power to forgive sins and He passes this ability on to His priests. In this video he examines some particulars of the sacrament.
A priest may never break the seal of Confession. He is forbidden to discuss any particulars of what he has been told by the penitent. He assures us that priests do not remember the sins they have been told. After hearing many Confessions, a priest will not be scandalized by our sins.
In Confession we name what we have done. Declaring it out loud is in an important step in the healing process. The wound has been opened and can now be cured.
Key Takeaways
- Your sins are not that interesting.
- The priest rejoices with those who are coming to the sacrament.
- We are good at deceiving ourselves, that's why it's important to confess our sins.
- When we claim our sins, God can bring His grace, His mercy and His healing to our soul.
- When we hide our sins they fester.
Questions for Reflection
- Have you ever been healed of a sin you were afraid to confess and felt the relief afterwards?
- Did you realize how serious the seal of Confession is for a priest?
- Are there things in your life you blame others for, but you know they are a result of your own failings?
Other Resources
Mortal vs. Venial Sin
Fr. Mike opens with the scripture passage from 1 John 5: 16-17. "There is such a thing as deadly sin", writes John.
There are 3 stipulations for a sin to be mortal:
- The offense must be serious
- You must know it's serious
- You must give full consent to committing the offense
All sin is wrongdoing and an offense against God. Venial sins harm our relationship with God, but mortal sin breaks our communion with Him. This is true in all relationships. Some offenses will weaken our friendship, but some will cause irreparable damage. We should strive to not offend anyone we're in a relationship with, particularly our Lord.
The wonderful gift is that grace is always available to us. God desires to restore our relationship with Him. No one is beyond the reach of God's grace. It's time to be forgiven.
Key Takeaways
There is a difference between mortal and venial sin.
- There is a difference between venial and mortal sin.
- Mortal sin is a grave action, committed in full knowledge of its gravity and with full consent.
- Venial sin weakens us to the point where it makes committing a mortal sin easier.
- Confession is the Sacrament of Mercy.
- Sin is a wound in our relationship with God and others.
- Grace is always available to us
Questions for Reflection
- Are you sensitive to the difference between a mortal and venial sin and realize when you have committed one or the other?
- Do you try to avoid venial sins and confess them regularly to avoid falling into more serious sin?
- Do you think it's important to examine yourself daily to see a pattern of behaviors which may be sinful or ways where you have failed to love God and others?
A Guided Examination of Conscience
Fr Mark-Mary walks you through the Ten Commandments in a way which enables you to go deeper into your examination before going to Confession. The questions he asks are helpful to anyone who desires to more thoroughly prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Examination of Conscience Using the Beatitudes
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.
The Top 3 Reasons That I Became Catholic.....and Always will Be
This is a beautiful story of Dr. Bergsma's conversion to the Catholic Church. Dr. Bergsma relates how he had a desire to go to Confession one day and pulled into the local Catholic Church. Not unusual for those who are Catholic, but for Dr Bergsma, who was a Protestant minister at the time, it was definitely out of the ordinary.
Confession Changed Me
Joseph Pronechen collects stories about several people who returned to the Sacrament of Reconciliation after being away for many years. Beautiful testimonies! There is so much joy in their return to God.
Confession is a Place of Victory
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
- Do you think of yourself as someone who is trying to love God more or someone who has failed when you go to Confession?
- What do you think of Fr. Mike Schmitz's image of a priest being God's garbage man?
- What part of this video had the greatest impact on you? Why?