How Is Your Soul?

Has anyone ever asked you that question before?

No one has ever asked me, but I will be bold and ask you:


How is your soul?


Lent is a beautiful time of year to let go of all the sins you've been holding on to.

How long has it been since you met Jesus in the confessional?

A short time?

A long time?

A LONG time?

Be good to yourself.  Go get cleaned up.

It will change you in ways you didn't know you needed to be changed.

The sun will shine brighter (so will your halo), the world will feel like a new place.

Afraid??

Don't be.  Jesus is all merciful.  He can forgive any sin (except those for which you do not repent and confess.)

Do you think the priest will be shocked?

He won't.  If he's been ordained more than a year, he's probably heard it all.

What he will be is JOYFUL!

He may even say, "Welcome back!" I hope he does.

Not sure how to start?

First pray to the Holy Spirit to show you your sins. He is very gentle, but persistent!

Do you need an examination of conscience?

Go to USCCB.org  Use the search bar and type in examination of conscience. They have different options depending on your state in life. They are very helpful.

Decide if you want to talk to the priest face to face or anonymously. Choose your confessional based on your preference.

Then begin:

"In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Bless me, Father for I have sinned. It's been _________(weeks, months, years) since my last confession."

Then pour out your heart.  Remember Jesus is there hearing your confession. The priest is there to say the words Jesus wants you to hear.

You may also want to look for and print out an Act of Contrition.  Some parishes have them printed out for you, some don't.

Most parishes have extra confession times during Lent. Check out their websites or go in and grab a church bulletin. (You may find some other interesting activities you'd like to try.)

Make this your best Easter ever.

I'll be praying for you.


My other blog

Oh! The Pain

The other day, as I was contemplating Christ's passion and death,  I was moved to wonder, 'how many of those wounds that tortured His precious body were caused by my sins?'

Instantaneously a number popped into my head.   I will not share what the number was but I will admit that it surprised me.

Over the next several days, with that number floating around in my head, I tried to see if perhaps I had made it up myself.  Nope, that was the firm number the Lord kept giving me.

Last Saturday at confession, my penance was to stand before the image of the eleventh station.  The 11th station is Jesus being nailed to the cross.  The priest told me to put myself in the scene and choose which person represented me.

As much as I wanted it to be the pure and sinless Mother Mary, it wasn't happening!!

As I looked at the other people in the scene I saw a soldier with his hand in the basket of nails pulling out the next one to be used.  I saw the soldier in charge diligently watching his charges.  There was one soldier with a hammer ready to strike and the last person was a woman standing with the Blessed Mother.

With tears streaming down my face, I put myself in that scene, and I thought about that number.  Wow!

Christ died for our sins, before we were even alive to commit them.  As for my number, He knew that before He walked the road.

It brings new understanding and thanksgiving for the verse:

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) NIV