 come to understand that God is offering, every moment of my life, to come alongside me and walk with me. Everywhere. And all the time. He never will leave me. Sin is where in my heart and my actions, I block God out of my life.
In Catholic Confession, prior to going to Confession, it is most appropriate to process through an Examination of Conscience. Many are based on the ten commandments, but there are others as well, for children, married people, single people, etc. It is a really thorough way to discover where I am not allowing God fully into my life. Even just the 1st Commandment examination… I reflect upon where in my life I am not putting God first. Where am I putting something or someone else in God’s place.
One thing I’m definitely not doing is sitting around with my head in my hands in hopelessness over how sinful I am. It’s actually really helpful for me, and I can use those reflections to allow God into more of my life.
I’ve also come to understand sin as that which wounds our soul and our relationship with our Creator. God is there, all the time, but when I turn away from Him and do my own thing, it is bad for me… left unchecked, it will contribute to my walk with God becoming unhealthy over time… sick even. Many of humanity’s own classic tales reveal what happens when someone is overcome by sin in their own life. Ebeneezer Scrooge and his greed, the Beast and his lack of charity, the Grinch and his desire for revenge.
Catholics believe that Sacraments are ways that God makes tangible (something we can see, smell, taste, touch, or hear), something that is a spiritual reality. So, for example (briefly, because this is a whole ‘nother post), marriage is a Sacrament. It’s meant to be a tangible representation of Christ’s relationship with the Church. Something we can see, and, within the marriage itself, touch, that is meant to draw our minds towards heavenly truth.
Confession, is another Sacrament.
This is where it gets good. This is the stuff.
I think it is easy for many to think about confession in a church service, or praying directly to God for forgiveness. Catholics also have a time of confession communally each Mass, and Catholics also can pray directly to God for forgiveness in most cases.
I also think it’s easy for Christians to acknowledge that we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the world around us.
When I walk into the confessional, I am walking in and talking to the Priest, who is acting as the hands and feet of Jesus for me. Instead of silently admitting my sins in private or at church, or to myself alone, I get to verbally share about the areas in my life where I am struggling to let God in. I verbally ask for forgiveness.
And then I audibly hear I am forgiven.
And that is huge. God knows we are both spiritual and physical. I love that this Sacrament exists, and I can hear the truth of my forgiveness time and time again, audibly, from someone who is representing Jesus.
But that’s not all. The Priest then spends a bit of time talking to me about some of my struggles, and prescribes penance. That word is one that may cause someone who isn’t Catholic to go… Yikes! Danger! Or What is that?
Let me explain what penance is. Just as unrepentant sin can hurt our walk with God, and even make our souls sick, penance is a sort of medicine that helps me to turn back to God in the areas in which I struggle.
Example. If someone hurt me and I am struggling to forgive them fully, my penance for that might be to spend some time praying for those people. Penance is simply helping me turn back to God and let Him into more of my life, in the areas where I am blocking him out through my actions.
And I leave the Confessional full of the Holy Spirit, and so thankful for God’s redeeming work in my life. I leave with joy, and I always look forward to going. It helps keep me tuned into and focused on my Savior, and helps me be more aware to walk more closely with Him. More than ever before.
Here is what, to Lorelei, Confession is.
Confession is one of the many ways that I can receive God’s grace.
Confession is a tangible representation of my forgiven and restored relationship with God.
Confession is a Sacrament of healing, and of helping me walk more closely with God.
And that, is why I love Confession.
What about you? How do you relate to the Sacrament of Confession? Drop us a comment below to share your thoughts!
It was great to read this again. I also see importance in the humbling aspect of confession. It’s harder for me to hang on to pride or denial when I’m face-to-face with someone representing Jesus. There are aspects of confession that are similar to the 5th step in my 12-step recovery program. In recovery, sharing our shortcomings with another is a proven and effective method of “cleaning house.” It simply wouldn’t work if we did it alone. I love how my Catholic faith has been providing this opportunity for healing long before 12-step programs even existed. I once heard that a priest helped develop the 12 steps. Wouldn’t surprise me a bit. Confession is, indeed, a beautiful and healing sacrent, designed to bring us closer in our walk with the Lord.
I’m just finding your blog and already am overwhelmed at God’s goodness. My wife and I grew up in the Protestant church and God called us into the Catholic Church at midnight mass, 2016. We were received and confirmed in August of 2017. So much of what you have written resonates so deeply with me, this post included. I never really grasped (and am only just now beginning to grasp) the true weight of sin. The damage it does to my relationship with God and how necessary confession truly is. Like you, I never had a context within which to examine my conscience, confess, and truly seek the reconciliation that is needed before.
I too love confession and hearing those beautiful words of absolution reduce me to tears every time.
Thank you for writing and for sharing this beautiful and life changing thing that conversion is. It’s such a unique process and can seem so lonely at times, especially when surrounded by family and friends who haven’t experienced it. Reading your thoughts and hearing your experiences is so lovely. It truly takes going through it to really get it and I’m thankful to be able to read more of what you’ve written.The prospect of rewiring a property may seem incredibly daunting for many at first, but when it comes to safety, ensuring that electricals are working properly is hugely important.
Obviously, the most important thing when it comes to examining your electrics is to stay safe. If for any reason, you feel uncomfortable in examining any area of your property’s wiring, it is important to bring in a professional.
BD has a highly talented team of electrical contractors in Liverpool and can offer you expert advice on what your property needs.
Then again, you don’t need to be an electrician to be able to spot some of the tell-tale signs that your property is in need of rewiring.
Check Your Plugs
One of the first things you can look at is how many plugs are servicing each room. If there are no more than two within a particularly large room, there is a chance that it could be in the older style of wiring.
Similarly, if you’ve ever touched a socket and it’s felt hot, it could also be a sign that there’s overheating happening somewhere.
Heat, just like sparks, strange smells and flashing lights are never a normal sight for any plug, so if you notice any of these signs, then it’s a good idea to seek out help.
Check Your Fuse Box
Another good indicator is the property’s fuse box, as those built before 1984 didn’t have an earth cable and some used aluminium instead of copper, meaning it is just over 50 times more likely to cause a fire.
Additionally, those without an earth cable increase the risk of electric shock during an overload of power.
Have a good look at the fuse box on your property and see if you can establish its age. You may find a sticker detailing the year, although this can be misleading as it could instead be displaying the installation date.
Check the State
Finally, the general condition of the light switches and plug sockets is also a good indicator of what state your wiring is in.
Look at any damage or any exposed wires, and if you see any live wires exposed then be sure to call an expert immediately.
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