Confession

Growing up, I always found Confession a scary and daunting Sacrament. Although I knew that Jesus was able to forgive my sins through the Sacrament, it was never comforting to me. I'll never forget one night when I was in second grade. I was laying in my parents bed after being put to bed at 7:30- 8 o'clock. I often stayed up a couple hours just laying there because I wasn't tired. This particular night I was basically praying to God that I wouldn't have to go to Confession the next day at school. I did not like Confession because it made me nervous. Mind you, this was back when my sins consisted of kicking, punching, pinching, etc. my sister. Now, I understand the fact that admitting you did something bad is not pleasant by any means. I always felt like I had to go to the bathroom standing in line at the confessionals. So anyway, I kept plotting on how to "give myself a fever" so I didn't have to go to school. As an 8 year old, my ideas were not very realistic, but I thought that they might work. It didn't matter though because when my mother got home from work at 11 o'clock, she came to give me a kiss goodnight and felt I was warm. She took my temperature and told me I was not going to school because I indeed had a fever.

Looking back on this moment I have to chuckle. I am still in shock that God answered my prayers that night and urgently. I thought He would've said no. Since then, my feelings surrounding Confession have changed.

Once it was suggested to me by a priest that I should try to go to Confession at least once a month or every other month so that it will become a habit and I wouldn't be nervous or scared about it. It would become more of a lifestyle than a dreadful task. This was back in high school when I seldom went to Confession, which basically meant I went when I missed Mass. Of course I never made Confession a habit, but I filed the information in my mind. Now, as a college student, I do try to go to Confession once a month because it is an opportunity to grow closer to God. It also is a way to make sure I stay accountable for even the most venial sins in my life. It also is a way to routinely talk to God and truly tell Him I am sorry. It is true that taking part in the Eucharist is a way to be forgiven for venial sins. Venial sins should not keep you from participating in the Eucharist because everyone sins and in no way are we perfect.

Honestly, since I have come to college and have tried to go once a month, I have become more comfortable with Confession and have even come to enjoy it. There is no better feeling than kneeling down and praying after Confession...except maaaybe when I receive Jesus at Mass on Sundays aaaand Adoration. :) It is just a way to see God's undying love for us. To think that I have messed up continually pretty much every day of my life and God is there to say "It's alright. I still love you!" Of course when I went before Easter I was nervous, but really opening myself up to God and acknowledging my feelings made me more at peace.

I highly recommend trying to go once a month. Not only does it feel good to tell the priest that your last confession wasn't a million years ago, but it makes it a part of your life, just like Mass. I would suggest starting this a routine with a friend, significant other, family member, or group of some sort. I know that I began by going to Confession because I hadn't been to Church in months. Then I kept going with my Newman group. This past Easter (time) was the first time I went by myself to get my obligation taken care of and not because I missed Mass.