LEADING PEOPLE CLOSER TO CHRIST

Reconciliation Resource

Let our resources enlighten you about the relevance and benefits of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We hope you will find the peace and healing you have been searching for!
  
Sin is a sad fact of life in a fallen world.  Whether we’re guilty of the sins of the flesh (such as adultery, fornication, masturbation, gluttony, drunkenness), sins of pride (anger, hard-heartedness, envy) or some other kind of moral failing, we all fall prey to sin. Some sins are called “venial,” because they weaken the life of grace in the soul and make it more likely that the person will fall into “mortal” (i.e., serious) sin — the kind of sin which, because of its gravity, extinguishes the life of grace in the soul. But all sins separate us from God. 

The problem is that many people become comfortable with living in the state of sin (c.f., 1 John 5:16-17) and never really make any effort to turn their hearts back toward the Lord with repentance and a firm desire to avoid sin and grow in holiness. There are even those who live an outward life of apparent goodness, but inwardly, they are practicing sins that keep them from the relationship with the Lord that He desires for them. “He who says, ‘I know him’ but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4). 

The good news is that Jesus Christ wants to free you from the chains of sin, give you new life in grace and lead you to the heights of holiness. But he won't do that against your will. You must be willing to say “yes” to His gifts of grace and forgiveness. And the very first step along that path is to make a good, sincere, heartfelt confession of your sins. 

As the Bible reminds, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9).  

Click on this link for a Guide to Confession (PDF): http://www.kofc.org/en/resources/cis/devotionals/2075.pdf 

Watch this video by Fr. Mike Schmitz!