And I came to the conclusion that every time we sin, it is a mini-victory for the Devil. Every time we have an ill-thought about someone, when we over-indulge, when we do something which is deemed 'bad' - basically whenever we sin the Devil 'whoops and hollers'.
But these are short-lived victories on the most. As soon as we, as Catholics, go to Confession the Devil has lost. As soon as we as Catholics turn back to God, accept our faults and failings and seek His forgiveness the Devil loses. Hence the 'short-lived victory'.
There is however a problem with this, not everyone goes to confession. And I'm not talking of Protestants who don't embrace this sacrament. I'm talking primarily of Catholics who do not take 'advantage' of this beautiful gift which has been bestowed on the Church.
But what does this mean? I think this means that the Devil continues to have these small victories, but for those who don't turn back to God these small victories become greater and greater.
I'm not going to make a sweeping statement and say that all non-Catholics are falling into a hole that they will never escape. There are plenty of non-Catholics who live good lives and there are plenty of Catholics who don't. But there are people out there who sin without realising, and then fall further into sin. It is these people that need our prayers; it is these people who need the Church.
The immense feeling of 'lighter shoulders' on leaving the confession is truly wonderful! Forgiveness is one of the greatest human characteristics. But through the Sacrament of Reconciliation we are not forgiven by a human for doing something against them. We are forgiven for letting ourselves be tempted by the Devil, and in doing so, acting against God.
Catholics! Go to confession!In Domino
6 comments:
A good post Cath. Student.It's a shame people are often scared of the Sacrament. But as Thomas Merton, one of my most favourite spiritual writers says, the more we turn in and look at ourselves, the more uneasy we become at the filth we encounter. How true for both the one who goes rarely to Confession, but also for those who repeatedly go back with the same sin. As one priest said to me though, "It's better to go back to Confession with the same sin over and over again, than come back with a hundred new ones!"
Great work on the header again. I think this is a different one to one I commented on a while back. Do you use photoshop or something?
Thanks for the comment! Thomas Merton is quite write in what he says! Also, what a wise priest! Ideally we would confess the sin and try our hardest never to do it again, but alas, we are only human.
As for the header, it is a different one. The header you commented on featured the Pope at the vigil with the words 'Lumen Christi'. I use both paintshop pro and photoshop. But I'm more comfortable with the former!
Ah I see. I think I might have to download one of their trial versions. I have photoshop on trial but like you, I think I prefer paintshop instead. It's a shame the full package is so expensive (well, at least in a student situation which we both find ourselves in).
Aha! Yes, I had to sacrifice a few meals! If you like I could always make a header for you, basic ones like mine don't take long to create, as long as I have in mind what you want done with them, colours etc...
I might take you up on that some time - thanks for your offer!
"Lighter Shoulders" An excellent way to describe that amazing post-Absolution feeling! And I love the photo of the Holy Father.
I've given you a Sunshine Award for your blog. Keep up the good work! (See my blog for how it works)
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