prayer for forgiveness

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Before I bring my confessions and petitions, I present my gratitude and praise to you Eternal Father, Christ Jesus and Holy Spirit. Thank you for this glorious life, thank you for leading me, guiding me through this world of strife and temptations. Thank you for helping me in all things and in all ways.

You know all the things I have done and the things I have failed to do. I am praying now, you forgive me of all my sins, known and unknown, actions and thoughts which were not pleasing to you. Forgive me for the things I hold in my heart which are unholy, forgive me for my fantasies, moments of anger and the dread of fear, anxieties and depression. I pray that everything I do from this moment, increases the faith, love, and trust I have in you.

Forgive me Lord for the pain and confusion I have caused in others people’s lives. Console them with the same consolation I receive from you. Heal their hearts and cleanse their souls.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I renounce all unholy spirits, all unrighteous thoughts, all thoughtless reactions and deeds. I want only to live in your presence Lord, following your will. Make my life a blessing for everyone. AMEM

sacrament of reconciliation

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Sacrament of Reconciliation

 

God is Love, the willful act of willing the good of the other for the other. This willful act is not based on our behavior, there is nothing we can do which can cause God to love us any less and nothing we can do which will cause Him to love us anymore. God’s unconditional love, seen by us as Divine Mercy is a lot bigger than His judgment of what pleases Him and what doesn’t. God’s forgiveness comes to us as freely as the next breath we take, however it is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation that our relationship with Him is put back in its rightful order; we are healed because our relationship with Him is healed, reestablished, refreshed and restored; not because we are forgiven and not because our behavior has drastically changed. It’s not about the gift we received, it’s about the gift He is giving; and I suppose ultimately is comes down to what extent I can receive and accept His grace in the sense I can only be forgiven to the depth of what I can confess.

Secondly theology is built on solid philosophy and healthy psychology. Faith elevates me above the study of God to a relationship with God. Faith is also a gift freely given. What I have to do is recognize and accept the total miracle of The Sacrament. I have to understand I have been forgiven even if I can’t forget about what I have done. I have to trust that the world has been set straight even if I can’t see it. If I’m to walk out of the confessional feeling free, happy, forgiven and grateful then I have to completely trust that Christ Jesus is who He said He is and that I am a child of God, who has just been given another last second chance.

One more thought. Certainly it is about the forgiveness, but more than that; it’s about healing the wounds and renewing the relationship. More than the world being set straight it’s about everyone who has been hurt by the pain and confusion I caused in their lives, will receive the same consolation which I received.  And its knowing that the events which are about to unfold in my life are in harmony with His plan even if I don’t understand it. Yes I will trust in the Lord, in His hope I find joy

Spirituality

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My personal rending of spirituality is in stark contrast with what our authors will develop as Christian Spirituality. I would compliment Catholicism with a big dose of spirituality as our authors clearly intend to do, however I am more inclined to discuss spirituality as a point of departure when discussing religion. In our society today, spirituality plays the essential role in popular mysticism. I will credit these spiritual people with experiences, visions and aspirations as they develop in their growth as individuals and broadcast their ideas into what they would consider building a better society. The spirituality aspect allows this goodness without the constraints of traditional religions with their creeds, absolute values, faithfulness and obedience. The “spiritualist” can be much grounded in their beliefs and convictions while enjoying the open “endedness” of our infinite universe. For them, just as the scientific truths are forever changed with each scientific breakthrough, their spirituality is deepen with each epiphany, whether through study and contemplation of a particular discipline or serendipity. However, having said all this, it’s time to turn our attention to “Christian Spirituality”, where this “core” is Christ centric, deeply Apostolic and rooted in Universal Christianity which has developed through the ages.

Whispers of St. Faustina

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These are the 25 Secret Whispers of St. Faustina. They begin with this simple statement from Jesus; “My daughter, I want to teach you about spiritual warfare”

  1. Never trust in yourself but abandon yourself totally to My will.
  2. In desolation, darkness and various doubts, have recourse to Me and to your spiritual director. He will always answer you in my name.
  3. Do not bargain with any temptation; lock yourself immediately in My Heart.
  4. At the first opportunity, reveal the temptation to the confessor.
  5. Put your self-love in the last place, so that it does not taint your deeds.
  6. Bear with yourself with great patience.
  7. Do not neglect interior mortifications.
  8. Always justify to yourself the opinions of your superiors and of your confessor.
  9. Shun murmurs like a plague.
  10. Let all act as they like; you are to act, as I want you to.
  11. Observe the rule as faithfully as you can.
  12. If someone causes you trouble, think what good you can do for the person who caused you to suffer.
  13. Do not pour out your feelings.
  14. Be silent when you are rebuked.
  15. Do not ask everyone’s opinion, but only the opinion of your confessor; be as frank and simple as a child with him.
  16. Do not become discouraged by ingratitude.
  17. Do not examine with curiosity the roads down which I lead you.
  18. When boredom and discouragement beat against your heart, run away from yourself and hide in My heart.
  19. Do not fear struggle; courage itself often intimidates temptations, and they dare not attack us.
  20. Always fight with the deep conviction that I am with you.
  21. Do not be guided by feeling, because it is not always under your control; but all merit lies in the will.
  22. Always depend upon your superiors, even in the smallest things.
  23. I will not delude you with prospects of peace and consolations; on the contrary, prepare for great battles.
  24. Know that you are on a great stage where all heaven and earth are watching you.
  25. Fight like a knight, so I can reward you. Do not be unduly fearful, because you are not alone.

For me, the key word is “teach”. What was said at any particular time, was said to a particular audience, however what is being taught is timeless.