When you talk straight to God, you do not know if your sins are forgiven. A little story to illustrate.
Two guys worked side by side in cubicles. The first fellow returned to the Catholic Church and urged the second fellow to do likewise.
He asked, asked, asked.
Invited, invited, invited.
Evangelized, Evangelized, Evangelized.
And asked again and again.
Finally the second guy consented to attend a Mass with him.
When they got to the church the first guy noticed that the priest was hearing Confessions and he encouraged his friend to also go to Confession. But the friend said “No” while the first guy did go to confession.
On the way home they were in an auto accident and both were killed.
The second guy sees his life flash in front of him with all the sinful acts of his life exposed, and God sends him away since he had missed so many opportunitites to worship God.
Then the first guy asked God if he was also going to see all of his sins. But God said, “I don’t remember, because you went to Confession and I forgive and forget.”
Come into heaven now.
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Part 1 of 10: Sacrament of Penance, Jesus placed great value on forgiveness [Catholic Caucus]
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Why do Catholics have to confess their sins to a priest instead of praying straight to God? [Ecu]
When did confession to a priest start? [Ecumenical]
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Reasons for Confession [Sacrament of Reconciliation]
Lesson 19: Confession (Part 1) BY FATHER ALTIER
Lesson 20: Confession (Part 2) BY FATHER ROBERT ALTIER
Serious about God? Then get serious about confession
St. Ephraim the Syrian: On Repentance
What happened to confession – Changing mores reflective of use
Repentance and Confession - Introduction [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
The Spiritual and Psychological Value of Frequent Confession
Pick a sin, any sin (Confession gone awry)
The Early Church Fathers on Confession / Reconciliation - Catholic/Orthodox Caucus
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Benedict XVI Extols Sacrament of Penance - Says Priests Need to Make It a Priority
Confession’s Comeback
Priests say more Catholics returning to confession
Pope Hears Confessions of Youth
MESSAGE FOR ALL CATHOLICS (in preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday - April 15)
Salvation: Just click and confess
CONFESSION AND CONFUSION
Get Thee To A Confessional! (beautiful insight for those who dread going to Confession)
Emerging Trends: The Return to the Confessional
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What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Penance (Reconciliation, Confession) [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
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MORTAL SIN and HOLY CONFESSION - The Antidote of Death
Thinking Inside the Box: An Attitude for Confession
Confessional Advice
The Epidemic and the Cure [The Sin of the World and the Sacrament of Reconciliation] (Confession)