Contrition
209. What is contrition?
Contrition is sincere sorrow for having offended God, and hatred for
the sins we have committed, with a firm purpose of sinning no more.
Let
the wicked man forsake his way and the unjust man his thoughts, and
let him return to the Lord; and he will have mercy on him. (Isaiah
55:7)
210.
Will
God forgive us any sin unless we have true contrition for it?
God will not forgive us any sin, whether mortal or venial, unless we
have true contrition for it.
Now
therefore saith the Lord: "Be converted to me with all your heart,
in fasting and in weeping and in mourning. And rend your hearts and
not your garments. (Joel 2:12-13)
211.
When
is sorrow for sin true contrition?
Sorrow for sin is true contrition when it is interior, supernatural
supreme, and universal.
Create a pure heart for me, O God, and renew in me a steadfast
spirit. (Psalm 50:12)
212.
When
is our sorrow interior?
Our
sorrow is interior when it comes from our heart, and not merely from
our lips.
My
sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a contrite and humbled
heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psalm 50:19)
213.
When
is our sorrow supernatural?
Our
sorrow is supernatural when, with the help of God's grace, it arises
from motives which spring from faith and not merely from natural
motives.
214.
When
is our sorrow supreme?
Our
sorrow is supreme when we hate sin above every other evil, and are
willing to endure any suffering rather than offend God in the future
by sin.
215.
When
is our sorrow universal?
Our
sorrow is universal when we are sorry for every mortal sin which we
may have had the misfortune to commit.
Turn
thy face away from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. (Psalm
50:11)
216.
Should we always try to have sorrow for all our venial sins when
receiving the sacrament of Penance?
We
should try to have sorrow for all our venial sins when receiving the
sacrament of Penance, and, when we have only venial sins to confess,
we must have sorrow for at least one of them or for some sin of our
past life which we confess.
217.
Why
should we have contrition for mortal sin?
We
should have contrition for mortal sin because it is the greatest of
all evils, gravely offends God, keeps us out of heaven, and condemns
us forever to hell.
If
anyone does not abide in me, he shall be cast outside as the branch
and wither; and they shall gather them up and cast them into the
fire, and they shall burn. (John 15:6)
218.
Why
should we have contrition for venial sin?
We
should have contrition for venial sin because it is displeasing to
God, merits temporal punishment, and may lead to mortal sin.
219.
How
many kinds of contrition are there?
There are two kinds of contrition: perfect contrition and imperfect
contrition.
220.
When
is our contrition perfect?
Our
contrition is perfect when we are sorry for our sins because sin
offends God, whom we love above all things for His own sake.
Create a pure heart for me, O God, and renew in me a steadfast
spirit. (Psalm 50:12)
221.
When
is our contrition imperfect?
Our
contrition is imperfect when we are sorry for our sins because they
are hateful in themselves or because we fear God's punishment.
And
the children of Israel said to the Lord, "We have sinned. Do thou
unto us whatsoever pleaseth thee, only deliver us this time."
(Judges 10:15)
222.
To
receive the sacrament of Penance worthily, what kind of contrition
is sufficient?
To
receive the sacrament of Penance worthily, imperfect contrition is
sufficient.
223.
Should we always try to have perfect contrition in the sacrament of
Penance?
We
should always try to have perfect contrition in the sacrament of
Penance because perfect contrition is more pleasing to God, and
because with His help we can always have it.
224.
How
can a person in mortal sin regain the state of grace before
receiving the sacrament of Penance?
A
person in mortal sin can regain the state of grace before receiving
the sacrament of Penance by making an act of perfect contrition with
the sincere purpose of going to confession.
225.
What
should we do if we have the misfortune to commit a mortal sin?
If
we have the misfortune to commit a mortal sin, we should ask God's
pardon and grace at once, make an act of perfect contrition, and go
to confession as soon as we can.
Is
it my will that a sinner should die, saith the Lord God, and not
that he should be converted from his ways and live? (Ezekiel 18:23)
226.
May
we receive Holy Communion after committing a mortal sin if we merely
make an act of perfect contrition?
We
may not receive Holy Communion after committing a mortal sin if we
merely make an act of perfect contrition; one who has sinned
grievously must go to confession before receiving Holy Communion.
Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the cup of the Lord
unworthily, will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. (I
Corinthians 11:27)
227.
What
is the firm purpose of sinning no more?
The
firm purpose of sinning no more is the sincere resolve not only to
avoid sin but to avoid as far as possible the near occasions of sin.
Go
thy way, and from now on sin no more. (John 8:11)
228.
What
purpose of amendment must a person have if they have only venial
sins to confess?
If a
person has only venial sins to confess, he must have the purpose of
avoiding at least one of them.