The Freedom of the Confessional

Last updated on: September 3, 2019 at 8:15 pm by Ben Hartford

The Freedom of the Confessional 2019-09-03T20:15:00-04:00 Ben Hartford

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Monthly – or more frequent – confession has freed me like almost nothing else. That steady flow of grace, even when there are no mortal sins to confess, is better than a bag of saline after a long weekend on Monday morning before a Fun Run. (Trust me, that is awesome!) This morning, I washed the frying pan that was left on the stove after someone made eggs yesterday morning. Along with washing my favorite spatula, I had to summon some serious elbow grease. I made some fanfreakingtastic eggs with diced ham, onions, and hot sauce. Later, after everyone had been fed, I loaded the dishwasher and washed the rest of the dishes. Including that same pan and spatula.

The second time around was much easier. A shower as soon as you come in from logging is easier and more relaxing than waiting. Talking to the person at work with whom you disagree is more productive and less difficult if it happens sooner than later.

Confessing sins sooner rather than later is easier, too. God already knows. What? Do you think you hid it from Him? You didn’t.

Don’t let the sun set on anger for a happy marriage. And I try like the Dickens to not let a Mass be sacrificed on unrepentant sin. What good is it for me to participate in a sacrifice that I’m not willing to fully accept myself, never mind fully give to God?

catholic

confession

Previous Post

August 28, 2019

Alone in the Desert

Next Post

September 12, 2019 St. Franciscus Ch’oe Gyeong-Hwan, Pray for Us!

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category catholic faith fatherhood fitness fun marriage Uncategorized

Select a Month June 2023 February 2023 January 2023 August 2022 July 2022 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which book of the Bible has the most chapters?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Proverbs Genesis Isaiah Psalms