Why Should I Confess My Sins to a Priest? 15

by • Culture War

It is the season of conversion. If you need a little push, turn to the sacraments, because that is what they are for. In the sacrament of confession Christ himself forgives and gives the grace to continue our Lenten pilgrimage with courage, hope, and joy.

Biltrix's avatarBiltrix

Have you ever asked or been asked,”Why should I confess my sins to someone else, If I can just confess them to God directly?”

Of course, you can confess your sins to God anytime you want. And God forgives you if you are truly sorry.

When you confess your sins to a priest, however, you are not just telling some guy what you did wrong. In order to understand why confessing your sins to a priest is different (and important), you need to exercise your faith in the teaching of the Church.

The following video explains this clearly and effectively:

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2 Things Wishing on a 4-Leaf Clover Won’t Change 6

by • Lent, New Evangelization • Tags: , , ,
Make a wish and say a prayer!

Make a wish and say a prayer!

Today there are only 2 types of people: those who claim to be Irish, and those who actually are.

Either way, everyone is invited to be Christian, especially those who already are. Today, Christians should try to be exceptionally Christian (as always). The way to do this is to remember a couple of things that St Patrick’s Day doesn’t change, and one thing that it does change.  More…

Mountaintop Moments 3

by • Lent • Tags: , , , ,
Remember the moment!

Remember the moment!

In the Bible, mountaintops are privileged places for encountering God, for having life-changing experiences of God. And so it is no mere coincidence that Jesus brought his disciples up the mountain to see his transfiguration.

We have all had mountaintop experiences, times or moments when we felt God’s presence almost palpably, and we knew with absolute certainty that he was watching over us and guiding us. More…

Trouble Stumbling with Your Lenten Resolution? Take Courage! 1

by • Lent • Tags: , , ,
First, remember what Lent is all about

First, remember what Lent is all about

If you are having trouble with your Lenten resolution, it probably means you did not pick something too easy, and that’s already a good sign.

Of course, it can also reveal a number of other things about you and that too is a good thing, if you think about it, and I mean iffff you really do think about it.  More…

Happy Anniversary Pope Francis! 4

by • New Evangelization • Tags: , ,

Thank you for teaching us the importance of Gospel Joy with your words and your actions!

The following statement from the USCCB summarizes the first year of his pontificate and expresses our heartfelt gratitude nicely.

STATEMENT OF THE USCCB ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE  ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ELECTION OF POPE FRANCIS More…

The 3 Miracles of Jonah 6

by • Lent • Tags: , , , ,

There is someone far greater than Jonah here

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.”

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.”

Jesus said to his detractors:

This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. More…

The Forgotten Sign, Because Humility Just Isn’t on Our Agenda 12

by • Lent • Tags: , , , , ,
Am I my brother's keeper?

Am I my brother’s keeper?

When I give tours at the Metropolitan Art Museum in New York, I like to stop by this paining and not say a word. Eventually, someone asks, “What’s this painting about?”

Most people do not see what’s going at first or even second glance. Surprisingly, some people never see it until you tell them the title of the painting, and even then, some still don’t see what is going on.  More…

The Non-Negotiable Nature of the Cross in Christian Life 18

by • Lent • Tags: , , , ,

“The Cross marks out the militant dimension of our existence. With the cross, it is impossible to negotiate. The cross is either embraced or rejected. If we embrace the cross, then by that very decision, we lose our life. We leave it in the hands of God. If we decide to reject it, our lives are left in our own hands, encased in the petty confines of our short horizons More…

Lenten Temptation 3

by • Spiritual Lights (Fr Jason Smith) • Tags: ,

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Why does God allow us to be tempted? Precisely because we grow so much when we are. We grow in faith. We grow in fortitude. We grow in humility. We learn to trust less in ourselves and more on God. Our prayer deepens. We turn more fervently to the Sacraments. Slowly, surely, we become more mature spiritually as God’s grace engages our freedom.

Lenten Fulfillment Reply

by • Spiritual Lights (Fr Jason Smith) • Tags: , ,

Lent is a time to stop the frantic pursuit of things and kneel down, worshiping Jesus, allowing him to be God and Lord of our life.

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Our fallen nature wants to make a golden calf out of many things, especially ourselves, yet paradoxically worshiping this calf never brings deep and lasting completion. The empty ache within is still there. By kneeling, adoring, praising, and worshiping Jesus we tear down the calf we’ve built and allow him to fill us. It’s by losing our life in Him that we find it.