Spoiler alert: You can’t make the perfect confession.
Recently, my niece, who is about to receive her First Holy Communion, made her first ever confession.
She was coached by a lot of people about how to go about it right. She needed the guidance since it was her first time.
However, confession isn’t something you need to “get right.”
Confession is about being open to the forgiving love of God and not listing each of your sins right.
You cannot make the the perfect confession. A good confession isn’t an achievement that can be listed on your resume. Confession isn’t about you.
It’s about God.
It’s about a God who wants to be in a deeply personal relationship with you.
It’s about a God who loves you deeply.
Confession is about a God who cannot but love, since He is love itself. God is the very definition of love. God is love.
The urge to go to confession is a grace from God.
Prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined response on our part (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2725).
Prayer is communicating/communing with God. Confession is going back to God after we’ve been away.
Confession is all about setting right our relationship with God. God who is the source of true love and compassion.
Because without His grace, we cannot love truly.
You cannot make the perfect confession, but you can stay open to receiving the immense love of the Lord that he showers on you every confession.
Here’s how to do that:
- Be sincere as you prepare. Decide to be open.
- Be sincere as you make your confession. Say the “Act of Contrition” meaning every word of it.
- Be grateful once you’re done. 🙂
Remember, confession is a relational thing, and it’s all about being in a love relationship with God!
