Bringing the Same Sins to Confession? Try This

Bringing the same sins to confession is like sitting in traffic. It feels like there’s nothing we can do about it. We are confident we know the way out, but we still keep falling into that sin, whatever it may be. Instead of clinging to the lie that “we got this”, cling to Jesus.

We can’t do it alone. We need directions. Better yet, we need someone who knows the way to show the way.

Fr. Mark-Mary offers this prayer from Brother Isaiah for when we’re struggling with habitual sin:

From the tendency to self-reliance, deliver me O Lord
From a fear of asking for help, deliver me O Lord
From a doubt in your providence, deliver me O Lord
From a doubt that you are a good Father, deliver me O Lord
From the tendency to believe that my weakness will define me, deliver me O Lord
From discouragement, deliver me O Lord
From despair, deliver me O Lord

With a confidence in your fatherhood—that you are a good father—strengthen me, O Lord. With a trust in your guidance and your providence, strengthen me, O Lord. With a zeal for virtue and growth, strengthen me, O Lord. With hope that I can with your help succeed, strengthen me, O Lord. With the confidence and the courage to ask for help, strengthen me, O Lord. With an ear that is attuned to your voice, strengthen me, O Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Spend time with the Word of God as well, and let it soak in. You will find that you are not meant to fight this battle alone. God wants us to be one, to be a family, helping each other to become holy.

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[hbsong]

Pray the Rosary daily, it will weaken your attachment to sin...

[lowenwelle]

"Did Jesus fall while carrying the cross? And did he give up after falling?"
(Some confessional advidse I once heard from a priest)

[Quetzal]

I was actually just about to leave for Confession when this popped up

[TomBear]

I just failed with the same sin, please brother pray for me to defeat this weakness. God bless you.

[wreloise]

I desire NOT to let go of studying God’s Word through Catholicism ( I am alone). Even though By staying committed to my Non-Catholic religion, I can find assistance. However, where are the thoughts of my heart ( for 4 months...in secrecy, I’m growing in a in-depth intimate relationship with God through the study of the Catholic Religion) Pray for me🙏🏾

[donnapatelmo]

Talk to Jesus every day i have conversations with Him so many distractions today He has to come first be the center of our life

[mortonjay]

Meditation: Lord, how quickly and easily I run from You. Fearful of losing my will, I run from Yours, knowing full well, like the young rich man in Scripture, that in following You I must give up what I cling to.
 My Lord, as I run from You let me stumble over your love and mercy so that I may fall into your arms and cling to your loving embrace.

[IRISHguitarist]

Pray for people in hospital every single day, they really need your Prayers.

[katkat]

Confession is a beautiful grace, it’s never easy to go and reveal the things you still have not overcome. God wants our hearts, our love, our humility.
I’m also directionally challenged 🤣😂your story is hilarious, love the honesty. Keep happy and laugh at yourself and lost is a place too!🤣

[timmcb]

Sounds like working the 1st Step of AA "We admitted we were powerless over alcohol and our lives are unmanageable" I been practicing that for years and this video reminds me to do it with all my sins. Thank you

[mountain]

Fr. Mark-Mary: “...and just to sit with my—excuse my language, if this is too strong of a word for you...”
Me: **leans in with increasing shock and terror at what he might say...**
Fr. Mark-Mary: “...stupidity”

🙄😂👍🏼 You’re wonderful, Father! Thanks for your great video, per usual.

[paulhill]

Thank you Brother I needed to hear this. Please pray for my priest in ICU

[trinidadraj]

This is a wonderful video.


But I have to say, being bad at directions isn't a sin. It's a lack of prudence, it requires humility and help to improve, it is a weakness. But not a sin. For it to be a real sin it has to be intentional. Getting lost isn't intentional.


For the areas of life where we are imprudent or where we need to grew in greater excellence and virtue, yes it takes a growing sense of humility so that we can become more reliant on God's grace to guide us and help us to grow. I love that he mentioned the Jesus Prayer.

[perserverance]

You cannot and never will grow in holiness unless you admit that you, by yourself, are powerless. Only by the grace of God can anyone succeed.

[TheFunfolks]

DON'T GIVE UP !
DON'T GIVE UP !
DON'T GIVE UP !

[anthonyjmaurizzio]

Deliver me Lord from the bondage of self!

[bridgetg]

Thank you Father! ALWAYS good timing - I went to first Saturday Reconciliation this morning and the more I confess the same sin, the more I sometimes feel that it's (the nature of the sin) ingrained in me. I know that it does not define me but that it is something I need to pray about and work on. Thanks for the gentle reminders!!

[edeverett]

I need to let go of my self reliance and cling to Jesus! Hits home for me in a real way. Thank you my brother!

[petermolloy]

Thank you Fr. Mark-Mary, I would imagine I speak for many when I say that I really needed to hear this today.
I believe that the gift of confession is one of the most precious gifts we Catholics have. My Protestant friends don’t quite get it. They say ‘I go straight to the source.’ 
By consciously verbalizing our sins to our priest we get to recognize these weaknesses. Something you really don’t consciously get when you just think about your sin. 
Knowing that you are bringing the same sin to confession ‘yet again’ brings this weakness to the forefront of our consciousness.
If you have not been to confession in some time, don’t wait. You will not regret it when you leave the confessional with a renewed feeling of lightness and energy.
I have a reminder on my phone. As soon as I’m finished my confession and back in the car I move my calendar reminder out four weeks. I always try my best to go at least once every four weeks.

[michaelangelomateo]

Always Care.
C-onfession
A-doration
R-osary
E-ucharist