This morning I was trying to figure out whether or not I needed to go to confession. My husband and I had argued yesterday and while I didn't feel like I had to go I felt like I should. I must admit, I don't like that feeling. Receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation is high on my husbands list of favorite things, but I still get a queasy feeling in my stomach beforehand. I usually try to go every month, but sometimes I go as long as two months. He's been told by one priest he goes to when he's in the City that he could cut back to a few times a month.
As we drove to Mass I reasoned with myself, coming up with reasons not to go to confession first. And that's when it struck me: if I was coming up with reasons not to go to confession, then I really did need to go. Because when I don't need to go the idea of receiving this sacrament doesn't bother me. It only bothers me when I've done something wrong.
Ten minutes later I was glad I'd asked the priest to hear my confession before Mass. I felt better and I didn't spend Mass worrying about whether yelling was venial or not.
I too go to confession once a month, as I folow a rule of life (as a Benedictine Oblate) and that is part of it...but I will go more often if I am aware of grave sin in my life, and even if I'm not sure! I love the Sacrament, and although, like you, I often feel nervous beforehand, the way I feel washed clean aterwards is so worth it!
ReplyDeleteMrs.P x
I struggle with that too... Since we attend a TLM every Sunday that has confession up until the Sanctus, I usually go about twice a month, right before Mass. It's very convenient, and it's something I would love to see as a practice in Novus Ordo masses as well. It would be refreshing.
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