Well, I've found that the way to handle embarrassing sins is to confess them first, maybe with your eyes closed.I just say, "I'm really embarrassed about this one so I'm confessing it first," and let fly.
Seriously though, I hope to be at least so "converted" that I see clearly that the Love of God is important and the disapproval of some crotchety priest is not.
I've spoken about rock climbing, virtue, and faith before. I bet, it having been decades since I backed over the edge of a cliff, it would take all I had to do it again. I haven't been practicing the fine art of being terrified but not letting the terror rule.
I HAVE been practicing telling another human being what I've done that I think was wrong and that I'm ashamed of. All good gifts come from the Father of Lights (can you tell we've been reading James at Mass?) but in SOME sense it seems I need to somehow appropriate them. It's as good a way as any I can think of to remind myself that what matters is that God loves me, and what doesn't matter is that I'm a jerk.
But you've given me a good "intention", as we Papists say, and I will pray tomorrow at Mass for the gift of an increase of faith and courage for all those too ashamed to make use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
...... Seriously though, I hope to be at least so "converted" that I see clearly that the Love of God is important and the disapproval of some crotchety priest is not.
Yes, that would make sense as the view of a mature-in-the-faith-Catholic. I would pray that the vast majority of Catholics are mature in the faith. :) (I have no idea.)
But you've given me a good "intention", as we Papists say, and I will pray tomorrow at Mass for the gift of an increase of faith and courage for all those too ashamed to make use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
In that case I will LITERALLY join in that prayer. :) Putting aside "my beef", the whole thing seems like it's worthwhile. I can think of certain politicians who couldn't possibly have had a true confession in decades. I think our country might be in better shape now if they had. :)