How to Make a Healing Confession 

Before Easter Next week, April 10, is our parish Reconciliation Service, with 10 priests hearing confessions. Please mark your calendar for a powerful, healing experience. 

If I have not been to confession for so long, where do I begin? 
At the prayer service a worship aid will help guide you through what to do. If it feels like your list of sins is long, confess the main ‘growth areas’ where you have struggled and need God’s help. Reflect on the examination questions below to sort out where you might most need God’s healing mercy. 

Examination of Conscience: 
There are many ways to examine ones conscience. The Ten Commandments is a great start. Another way is to think about Jesus’ teaching: “love God with your whole mind and soul… and love your neighbor as yourself.” With this one you can ask yourself the following questions: 

Relationship with God: 
Do I keep the Lord’s Day holy by going to church and not working? Do I make time for honest conversation with God in prayer? Do I really trust God with my problems? Do I take time to thank God every day? 

Relationship with Others: 
Do I make time to reach out to those who need my help? Am I actively involved in helping the poor? Do I complain about the times I do things for others? Do I participate in gossip? Do I make the effort to stop lies or rumors? Do I proactively work on my relationships with family and friends? Do I help others get closer to Jesus? 

Relationship with Self: 
Do I take care of my body with exercise and healthy eating/drinking? Do I get enough rest for my body? Do I respect my body as a temple of the Holy Spirit? Addicted to pornography, alcohol, or drugs? Do I fill my mind with poor television shows or computer time? Do I take time to read the Scriptures or spiritual reading? 

With you, I pray, “Jesus, I trust in you.” 

Fr. Jim Deiters