Making a Good Confession

Summary

Father Mike Schmitz discusses the significance of confession in Catholicism, emphasizing it as a place of victory and return to Jesus. He addresses the common mistake of prioritizing worldly matters over God and suggests using tools like the Litany of Humility, Beatitudes, and the Consciousness Examen to guide adult confessions. These tools help individuals to reflect on their relationship with God and identify sins that stem from not placing God at the center of their lives.

Takeaways

• 🙏 Confession is a place of victory where people return to Jesus, not a place for judgment.
• 🤔 One of the most common sins is not putting God at the center of your life but on the sidelines.
• 🔄 Going to confession as an adult means understanding that life offers more complex distractions from God than when you were a child.
• 🙌 Sin is not necessarily about hurting someone else, but about choosing your will over God's will.
• 💡 Confession requires an honest examination of whether you have placed other things before God.
• 📋 The Church provides helpful 'cheat sheets' for examining your conscience, appropriate to different stages of life.
• 🛐 The Litany of Humility is a powerful prayer to help identify areas where pride and self-centeredness take over.
• 🌟 The Beatitudes are a good guide to reflect on whether you are living according to Jesus' teachings on mercy, peace, and meekness.
• 🧘‍♂️ The Consciousness Examen by St. Ignatius of Loyola encourages daily reflection on where you accepted or rejected God's grace.
• 💭 Confession is not just about recognizing sin but living in an active, conscious relationship with God.

Q & A

What is Father Mike Schmitz's perspective on confession?

Father Mike Schmitz views confession as a place of victory where people return to Jesus. He sees it as an opportunity for spiritual growth and healing, rather than just a time to list sins.

Why does Father Mike refer to his forgetfulness in confessions as 'divine amnesia'?

Father Mike calls it 'divine amnesia' because he rarely remembers the sins people confess. This reflects the idea that confession is about God's forgiveness and moving forward, rather than dwelling on past mistakes.

Why does Father Mike ask if God is number one in a person's life during confession?

Father Mike asks this to help people reflect on their relationship with God. If anything other than God is at the center of a person's life, it’s important to confess this first because it reveals a misalignment in priorities.

What is Father Mike's definition of sin?

Father Mike defines sin as knowing what God wants but choosing to do something else. It’s a deliberate decision to prioritize one's own desires over God's will.

How does Father Mike suggest people examine their conscience as adults?

Father Mike suggests using 'cheat sheets' that are age-appropriate. These include examinations of conscience, the Litany of Humility, reflecting on the Beatitudes, and using the Consciousness Examen, which helps people reflect on their daily interactions with God.

What is the purpose of the Litany of Humility in preparation for confession?

The Litany of Humility helps individuals reflect on their desires for recognition and validation, guiding them to focus more on loving others and honoring God than seeking praise or attention.

How can the Beatitudes be used as an examination of conscience?

The Beatitudes serve as a guide for self-reflection. People can ask themselves if they are living in meekness, showing mercy, and striving for peace, as these are qualities Jesus praised in the Beatitudes.

What is the Consciousness Examen, and how does it differ from an examination of conscience?

The Consciousness Examen, developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola, focuses on reviewing the events of the day and recognizing moments when one followed or ignored God's grace. It’s more about living in relationship with God than just identifying sins.

What does Father Mike emphasize about making confession 'like an adult'?

Father Mike emphasizes that going to confession as an adult involves deeper self-reflection, recognizing the complexity of life’s distractions, and ensuring that God remains the center of one's life.

How does Father Mike suggest people grow in their spiritual life through confession?

Father Mike suggests that people grow spiritually by regularly examining their conscience, using tools like the Litany of Humility, reflecting on the Beatitudes, and practicing the Consciousness Examen. This helps them become more aware of God’s presence and respond to His will.