Msgr. Charles Pope: Rediscovering the Original Meaning of the Word “Relevant”
December 17, 2019A Science-Based Case for Ending the Porn Epidemic, by Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry
December 17, 2019
“I perform works of mercy in every soul,” said Our Lord to St. Faustina. “The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to my mercy.”
By John Clark, National Catholic Register, 12/16/19 q3w
Disneyland might claim to be “the happiest place on Earth,” but for my money, nothing beats a Catholic Church that is holding a Penance service just before Christmas. They are attended by those who regularly go to Confession as well as those who haven’t been to Confession in many years. Either way, there is a palpable and profound sense of joy among those who receive absolution in the Sacrament of Penance.
Sadly, however, some people will be reluctant to go to Confession this Advent. If you’re one of them, please consider the following.
I’m sure that many people are embarrassed to confess their sins, and maybe sexual sins are the most difficult to confess. I don’t want to make light of serious sins, but it’s important that you know something. Priests hear these sins over and over and over again in Confession. But, you might be wondering, what if I’ve committed these sins dozens or hundreds of times? Yep, they’ve heard that too.
Some people may be afraid that the priest has never heard sins like yours. Believe me, you haven’t committed a single sin that isn’t addressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Brilliant and creative as you might be, your sins haven’t broken new ground. There are only Ten Commandments, after all, and priests have heard plenty of infractions against all of them. During a penance service in which each priest might hear 50 confessions, chances are good that they’ve already heard—that same night—other penitents confess the same sins you’re so worried about! ….