i havent been to communion in almost a year?

Question

and i have noticed my faith on the wane.....gradually..is this a coincidence???

i would go ..but i would need to go to confession first..and i am too ashamed. what do i do??

Answer 1

I can only answer from what I believe...

"The ninth Glad-Tidings When the sinner findeth himself wholly detached and freed from all save God, he should beg forgiveness and pardon from Him. Confession of sins and transgressions before human beings is not permissible, as it hath never been nor will ever be conducive to divine forgiveness. Moreover such confession before people results in one's humiliation and abasement, and God -- exalted be His glory -- wisheth not the humiliation of His servants. Verily He is the Compassionate, the Merciful. The sinner should, between himself and God, implore mercy from the Ocean of mercy, beg forgiveness from the Heaven of generosity and say:"

(Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 24)

"I now assure thee, O servant of God, that, if thy mind become empty and pure from every mention and thought and thy heart attracted wholly to the Kingdom of God, forget all else besides God and come in communion with the Spirit of God, then the Holy Spirit will assist thee with a power which will enable thee to penetrate all things, and a Dazzling Spark which enlightens all sides, a Brilliant Flame in the zenith of the heavens, will teach thee that which thou dost not know of the facts of the universe and of the divine doctrine. Verily, I say unto thee, every soul which ariseth today to guide others to the path of safety and infuse in them the Spirit of Life, the Holy Spirit will inspire that soul with evidences, proofs and facts and the lights will shine upon it from the Kingdom of God. Do not forget what I have conveyed unto thee from the breath of the Spirit. Verily, it is the shining morning and the rosy dawn which will impart unto thee the lights, reveal the mysteries and make thee competent in science, and through it the pictures of the Supreme World will be printed in thy heart and the facts of the secrets of the Kingdom of God will shine before thee."

(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 369)

God bless you.

Answer 2

There is no need to be ashamed or afraid to go to confession. We are all sinners. Just go.

The frequency of visitation to the sacrament of confession is a highly personal matter between the penitent and God. This is not the type of question which any person is obligated to answer in any manner other than as stated in the first sentence. This said, if you wish to disclose the frequency of your visitation to this sacrament you may do so. The Bishop of Birmingham (Alabama) has disclosed that he goes to confession approximately every six weeks, more often if he feels the need. The Pope has disclosed that he goes to confession at least once a week.

Answer 3

Feeling ashamed is a normal part of being human, but it shouldn't keep you from anything. The most important thing is that you learn from what you did that made you feel ashamed in the first place.

I'm not Catholic, but my Catholic friends tell me they confess to humble themselves. I don't need that to humble myself, but I can see the value in confession.

You are the only one who can change your waning faith. YOU have to be active. While I believe that communion and confession are not means of salvation, if they help keep you on a straight path, then by all means go back to it. No matter what you've done that makes you feel ashamed, it is forgiveable.

Answer 4

Don't go to confession, only God can forgive you. Then find a good Church where you can enjoy that is fun and exciting. I suggest a Pentecostal or a Nondenimational Church where you can learn about being filled with God's Holy Spirit.

Answer 5

Though raised Catholic, but no longer one, I believe it's advised/expected for you to go to confession first, then take communion. Catholic teaching is that the Host is Christ and therefore in order to receive communion the person should be in a state of grace. Not sure though, but I think that's the general way of it.

Answer 6

Don't be ashamed. Christ is ur brother, u can confide in a preist. At the time of ur confession, they are not supposed to judge, but absolve and give u penance. ONce u receive that, and do it justice, Christ will forgive u...and u can go and receive communion with a clean heart. The devil puts this shame in u. HE doesn't want u to haVe faith in Christ, or receive him, so he's putting the shame in u so u won't go to confession. Pray first. The Lord will hear u, and heal u, then u can go to confession, and ur sins will come to mind, and u'll be forigiven, and u can partake in the Lord's supper with the rest of his family. Open ur heart to the Lord and tell him ur shameful and y; he will understand and bring u out of it...so u can begin to walk the path of healing, and come back to him. Please don't follow the devils' path and give in to ur shame. May God Bless You. Good luck.

Answer 7

jdog, you know the answer to this already. Go to confession. Believe me whatever you confess has been heard before. Get back on track with God.

Answer 8

No, it's not a coincidence. The true body & blood Christ is given to you for the forgiveness of your sins in Holy Communion. It connects you with Christ, the author & perfector of your faith & it is *for you* to sustain you through this life.

Ever considered joining the Lutheran church where Law is Law & Gospel is Gospel? Or in other words, you're not let off the hook for you sin, but neither do you have to do penance to receive forgiveness of sins through absolution from the pastor & Holy Communion.

Confession *is* important, & you have the option of going to the pastor for personal absolution, but you may also confess your sins directly to your High Priest, (Himself the victim & Himself the Priest), Jesus Christ. Then in the worship service you will receive absolution from Him through the pastor.

If it's faithful congregation who has traditional worship, you'll hear something like:

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins ans cleanse us from all unrighteousness," (1 John 1:8-9

[Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination.]

"Let us then confess our sins to God our Father. Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve You present and eternal punishment. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen."

"I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and You forgave the iniquity of my sin," Psalm 32:5.

(John 20:22-23 reminds us that our "Lord declares through the mouth of His servant, the pastor, that by His grace and mercy our sins are forgiven. The Absolution speaks the Gospel to our ear in a personal way. Through these Gospel words we receive the salvation earned by Christ upon the cross of Calvary; every sin is covered by His blessed death,"--Worshiping with Angels & Archangles: An Introduction the the Divine Service--Concordia Publishing House).

Said by pastor: "Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called & ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all you sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Answer 9

Confess your sins to God. No priest necessary other than our High Priest, Jesus Christ.

Answer 10

Dont waste your time. You dont need to confess anything to anyone. Pray and repent to GOD not a human.