Pope Francis' 4 tips for confession.
1. Put the Father first
What is central, our sins or the Father who forgives everything? The Father. We do not go to confession to be punished and humiliated, but as children who run towards the Father’s loving arms. And the Father lifts us up in every situation, he forgives all our sins.
2. Remember God's forgiveness
Let me give you a little piece of advice: after each Confession, sit still for a few moments in order to remember the forgiveness you received. Hold on to that peace in your heart, that inner freedom you are feeling; not your sins, which no longer exist, but the forgiveness that God has granted you.
3. Shame is not blame
Feeling ashamed is a good sign, but like any other sign, it points to the road we need to follow. Don’t let shame imprison you, because God is never ashamed of you. He loves you in the very place where you feel ashamed. And he loves you always.
4. Trust in God's faithfulness
God rejoices in forgiving us, time and time again. Whenever he picks us up, he believes in us as if it were the first time. He never grows discouraged. We are the ones who get discouraged, not he.
JM
