The Gospel for this coming Sunday begins, “And he, being willing to justify himself, asked him ‘And who is my neighbor?’” (from Luke 10:25-37) One of the most obvious and most difficult things the break free from is a “me and everyone else” approach to judgment. We almost never question our own motives and the part we play in difficulties / controversies. Someone troubles us and we say, “I have done nothing wrong.” I am completely innocent. But Dorotheos of Gaza says that if a man really examines himself, in the fear of God, he will usually find that he has given cause for offense, either by deed, word or bearing.
Entries Tagged as ‘Confession: 5 part series’
November 12, 2009
Spiritual Heart Disease
Whereas we have become concerned with the external sin and the details of who, what, where and when. It has not always been so. The patristic writings of the Church are concerned, almost exclusively, with asking the question, “why?” Why? Surgeons get paid the big bucks to remove the cause of our physical symptoms. We want to imitate them and move, as best we can, to investigate the root causes of our sin. The hope is to get to where disease can be caught early and eradicated.
October 14, 2009
Fr. Arseny: The Confession
Fr. Arseny: The Confession. An excerpt from the book, Father Arseny, an account of the Soviet Gulag.
June 11, 2009
What Actually Happens in Confession
We should take care to confess all the secret and hidden things as well as sin that has gone before us or trails after us. We prepare looking at the things we have said, done or thought that we should not have. The one confessing should name what the sin is and frequency. The priest only needs a general idea. Only as much detail as the priest needs to have a general understanding is needed. If the priest is not clear concerning something, he will ask questions.
June 11, 2009
Elder Paisios Confesses His Garden
Confessing His Garden
A young man, who hadn’t been to confession for many years, went to Father Anastasios who resided at the cell of Dionysiou Forna from Karyes of Kaoutloumousiou Monastery. While they were talking, Father Anastasios told him he should go to confession, as it would help him find solutions to his problems. However, the [...]
June 9, 2009
Preparation for Confession
Listed and linked below are some aids to help us examine our conscience before God. They should prove helpful. Prayerfully work through the aids and the linked list of questions. Take courage to fearless try to know yourself better. Resolve to not let any obstacle stand in your way toward confessing your sins. With faith and honesty proceed to make your confession. “Be certain also that the infinite love of the Crucified and Resurrected Lord will welcome you and transform you removing the weight that burdens you.” He Himself said, “Come to me all you fatigued and heavy laden and I will grant you rest.”
June 8, 2009
People Can Most Definitely Change
Repentance is not to be confused with remorse. Remorse is feeling sorry for having done a wrong. While remorse might lead one to make a good confession it is not the same thing. Confession is an invitation to a new life. Christianity asserts that our past can be redeemed and that we can live a new life. Human beings can change even when it seems impossible. For what is impossible for man is possible for God.
June 7, 2009
The Lost Art of Confession
Although it is mysterious there is without a doubt, power in confessing our sins to another and hearing him pronounce the words of forgiveness and absolution of Christ and His Body so that we are free to go and sin no more. (John 8:11) Everyone should have at least one person that knows everything about them.
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