Forgive me my sins, O Lord, forgive me my sins; the sins of my youth, the sins of my age, the sins of my soul, the sins of my body; my idle sins, the sins I know, the sins I do not know; the sins I have concealed so long, and which are now hidden from my memory. I am truly sorry for every sin, mortal and venial, and for all the sins of my childhood up to the present time. I know my sins have wounded Thy most Tender Heart, O my Saviour, let me be free from the bonds of evil through the most bitter Passion of my Redeemer. Amen. O my Jesus, forget and forgive what I have been.
This Act of Contrition was given me by my mother who said it daily. It was given to her by her mother who said it daily. A few years back, Reverend Duling shared that he always begins his daily prayers with a confession. That struck a very meaningful chord with me, and I try to remember to begin my daily prayers with this Act of Contrition. You have to admit that it’s a pretty thorough listing of most possible sins.
I try to feel honestly and sincerely sorry for my transgressions but at times I wonder if I truly am. I wonder that because I keep repeating some of them. If I soul search, they are my “knee jerk” sins, personality flaws like impatience, self-righteousness, being annoyed by others. They keep showing up and I really do not like those parts of me.
I think if I confess daily, God will use his never-ending Mercy to help me overcome these issues. And that being aware of them will help me weed them out of my behaviors. I need God’s help and I know He is always there for me.
Prayer: Father God, I do want to be a better person. Please
guide me towards a more purer form of loving others. You are the Ultimate
example of love, humility, and selflessness. May I strive with your
guidance to be more like you.
Connie Barry
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