Confession: Why You Need It

Introduction

• Presenter: Father Mike Schmitz
• Platform: Ascension Presents
• Audience: Catholics, specifically addressing Jack, Jill, Jane, and Jimmy
• Focus: Importance of confession in Catholic life

The Nature of Confession

• Divine Amnesia: Priests often don't remember the specifics of confessions.
• Place of Victory: Confession is seen as a place where people return to Jesus.

Common Misunderstandings

• Long Absence from Confession: People often confess minor issues after long periods.
• Key Question: Is God the center of your life?
  • Often, people equate being a good person with putting God first.
• Comparison: Goodness should be compared to God, not other people.

Understanding Sin

• Misconceptions: Sin is not just about harming others or making mistakes.
• Definition of Sin: Knowing what God wants and choosing otherwise.

Approaching Confession Like an Adult

1. Make God Central: Recognize if God is the center of your life.
2. Understanding Sin: Realize sin is about choosing your will over God’s.

Examination of Conscience

• Importance: Helps identify areas where God is not central.
• Cheat Sheets:
  1. Appropriate Examination: Tailored to age and life state.
  2. Litany of Humility: Prayer to recognize and address desires.
  3. The Beatitudes: Reflection based on Jesus' words (meekness, mercy).
  4. Consciousness Examen:
     • Developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola.
     • Process:
       • Pray and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.
       • Review the day for moments of accepting or rejecting God's grace.
       • Thank God for moments of grace and seek forgiveness for rejections.

Conclusion

• Relationship with God: Confession is about living an active relationship with God.
• Regular Practice: Using these tools leads to adult and saintly confessions.
• Final Encouragement: God desires us to become saints.