Help With Reconciliation
One of the biggest challenges we face in our spiritual life is maintaining a healthy relationship with God. Like all relationships, there is an ebb and flow to them that can sometimes feel like effortlessly floating on a calm ocean of love, and other times they can feel like we are battling a forest fire of emotions with no water in sight. Knowing how to reconcile our differences helps to maintain a sense of peace with ourselves, others, and God so that we return to a place of harmony as quickly as possible.
In the Catholic church, we have formalized this process through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. For those able to receive it the priest, acting in the person of Jesus Christ, through the ministry of the church, absolves a penitent of any eternal punishment that would be due because of their sins. While this is a very good and gracious divine gift from God, it does not absolve the person from the mortal consequences of their sins. This is where we may need some additional help to fully realize the benefits of this gift.
Sin, the act of rebellion against God, begins to manifest itself in us through our thoughts and feelings. Thoughts and feelings are not inherently sinful in and of themselves, they are a necessary biological function of our bodies. They come to us as a result of our experiences in life. The more we think about or experience something the more we tend to dwell upon it. Take food as an example, the more we eat sugar the more our bodies will crave it and the greater the temptation will be to consume even more of it. This is called habitual or conditioned behavior -something that we are compelled to do because of our repetitive experiences of it in the past. When sin becomes habitual then we need to look at its biological function if we are to rid ourselves of its mortal consequences.
There is biological science behind our behavior and there are many ways in which we can use it to reach our full potential as children of God. As both a penitent and confessor, the most effective means of dealing with habitual sin that I have found is the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This is a form of psychological exercise that has been demonstrated to be an effective remedy for a range of challenges in all our relationships even and especially with God. It helps us to overcome unwanted behaviour by changing the thinking and feelings that lead to it.
Resources From Dr. Kevin Majeres
Dr. Kevin Majeres a leading Catholic psychiatrist and Harvard professor of CBT has developed a website www.purityispossible.com that will help you get started with this process. It is a highly effective method of dealing with any unwanted thoughts, actions, or habits. I highly encourage you to check it out, it can lead to life-changing results. He has many other helpful websites and online media that are very helpful as well.
In our faith journey, it is important to maintain healthy relationships with everyone including ourselves. It is important to seek help from God through our prayers and the sacraments, but it is also important to seek practical help as well, especially when dealing with sin. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will give you a new start, but working towards real changes in your attitude and behaviour will ensure that you will continue to live in the freedom and peace that Jesus always desires for you.
More helpful websites from Dr. Majeres: (free and premium content):
Another website that helps with overcoming unwanted habits: (free and premium content)
Official Vatican Website
https://www.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html
Balanced Catholic News
https://www.pillarcatholic.com/
Searchable Bible with Commentary
Faith Formation for Men
https://paradisusdei.org/that-man-is-you/
Faith Formation for Women
https://paradisusdei.org/for-women/
Join the Cursillo Movement - Ottawa
Join A Cursillo!
Cursillo is a Spanish word meaning “little” or “short” course. It begins on a Thursday evening and ends on Sunday evening. During those three days, people come together to live, work, and pray together, listening to talks given by priests and their peers. As the daily celebration of the Eucharist is a central feature of the Cursillo experience, the weekend is best suited to Catholics, but all are welcome to attend. It helps people deepen their Christian faith by helping them draw closer to Jesus in a very real and special way.
The Cursillo Movement is a powerful instrument of renewal in the Catholic Church. It aims to provide a real and lasting encounter with the Person and teachings of Jesus Christ. A Cursillo gives those who attend it a living understanding of basic Christian truths and the desire to express it in love for one another. The broader Cursillo community provides an opportunity to continue the “Mountain Top” experience that began on the weekend.
Visit the Madonna House
Visit Madonna House
The Madonna House Apostolate is a Catholic community of laymen, women, and priests, dedicated to serving Christ in the poor by being a community of love and humble service to others. Founded in 1947 by Servant of God Catherine Doherty, there is a main community of approximately 150 members living in Combermere, Ontario, and several other mission houses throughout the world. Temporary guests and families are welcome.