Why We Go to Confession
Penance is a sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ, in which, by the ministry of the priest, actual sins are forgiven, and the conscience is released from the bonds by which it may be bound. In this sacrament, also, the eternal punishment due to sin is remitted, and a part or the whole of the temporal punishment, according to the disposition of the penitent.
Confession Comes from Christ
This holy and salutary institution is grounded on the words of Jesus Christ: “Amen, I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind on earth, shall be bound also in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose upon earth shall be loosed also in heaven” (Matthew 18:18), and, “ ‘As the Father hath sent me, I also send you.’ When He had said this, He breathed on them, and He said to them, ‘Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained’ ” (John 20:21). In these words Jesus Christ gave to His apostles, and to their lawful successors, power and authority to absolve from all sin those who sincerely repent of their offences. Here we see the great necessity of this sacrament: the Council of Trent has said that it is no less necessary for salvation to those who have fallen into mortal sin after Baptism, than Baptism is needed by those who have not yet received it. And although the sacrament of Penance (Confession) may at first seem to be a bitter and painful thing, yet, viewed in its fruits and consequences, it is full of consolation. Every Catholic, as soon as he is conscious that he has fallen into a mortal sin, ought at once to have recourse to this fount of divine mercy.
Benefits of Regular Confession
God’s love is greater than any sin we can commit; His loving mercy toward us is available as soon as we seek it out!
Thus frequent, earnest use of Penance is the best way to attack our vices and overcome our wounded reactions to our own sinfulness. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which you can read for free at vatican.va, says that the spiritual effects of this sacrament include:
Remission of the eternal punishment (Hell) incurred by grave (mortal) sins;
Peace and serenity of conscience, plus spiritual consolation;
An increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle.
Confession is a purification of the soul’s grime just as a bath is purification of the body’s dirt. Is it not better to bathe frequently, even when we haven’t knowingly rolled in mud? Smaller (venial) sins build up, leading to a hardening of our hearts toward God and a loss of self-knowledge. And serious (mortal) sin cuts us off from God altogether.
But the person who makes Confession a regular part of his life will find that peace, serenity, and new strength start to flow into him. He finds courage to fight bad habits, increase self-discipline, admit he needs a Redeemer, and finally to love that Redeemer more whole-heartedly.
Therefore a good suggestion might be to go to Confession once a month, or even every other week. God wants to make us whole and help us to become the people He wants us to be – saints, beloved and happy with Him, forever and ever.
Perils of Delaying Confession
The evil consequences of delaying Confession are manifold. First, in the state of mortal sin, every other mortal sin committed renders our hearts still more hardened. Second, the commission of one mortal sin makes a second easier, and this leads to a third, and so on. Third, in the state of mortal sin, we lose the value of all the good works that we may do. They avail nothing for everlasting life. Neither alms, nor prayers, nor fasts, nor even martyrdom itself, can profit us, if we have not repented of our sins. Last, just as the longer a stain remains upon a garment, the more difficult it is to remove, so the longer the soul neglects to purify itself by Confession, the more difficult and intricate the work becomes, on account of the number of sins and anxiety of mind.
Tips for Avoiding Sin in the Future
After Confession, as soon as you conveniently can, perform your penance and renew your resolutions of avoiding all sin using every good means possible, and by avoiding the occasions and temptations of sin. You can have perfect confidence, with devout thankfulness, that all your sins, through the mercy of God, are forgiven.
Consider also how you can amend (change) your life. This will be best done by identifying one or two of your habitual sins — the most serious — and focusing your main efforts on overcoming them. Here are some ways to do so:
Foster a strong desire to overcome these faults, frequently renew your resolution, and each night before bed consider how well you have fought them.
When you commit these sins, hold yourself accountable in some way by performing an appropriate penance, and seek out Confession frequently. (The guidance of a priest in choosing self-imposed penance is always recommended.)
Endeavor always to have the thought of Christ present in your mind, particularly through regular Scripture reading. Direct short prayers to Him, especially when you are attacked by temptation, or when you are necessarily exposed to the dangers of sinning.
Meditate frequently on subjects that will help you keep your resolutions: death and judgment, God’s overflowing love, His kindnesses to you, His promises of mercy and supernatural aid in the fight, etc. Be earnest and persevere with a good hope of victory, through the grace of Jesus Christ.