A Gaudete Sunday Thought to Start the Week Off Right

It's Gaudete Sunday - so...Rejoice! That's what the Latin means, and it's to be taken literally. Even though it's the third Sunday of Advent, a fundamentally penitential season where we prepare ourselves for His coming, nevertheless our Holy Mother the Church sends out the call: Rejoice! After all, He's almost here: just two more weeks.

In our rejoicing, we don't turn from our preparation, or course. He's almost here, but not just yet. Last week we talked about preparing our hearts as a warm, welcome home for the Baby Jesus on Christmas Day. Our special prayers and aspirations (e.g., "Divine Infant of Bethlehem, come and take birth in our hearts!") help us here. And, of course, confession will assure that we're not burdened with the stain of sin as we practice our Advent devotions.  I found this outline of how to confess our sins helpful in its directness and thoroughness. It's from Father Gerald Kelly, S.J. (1956).

    “Kinds of Sin: Moral theologians make many refined distinctions in classifying sins. Though ordinary people would not be expected to know these refinements, they should know the principal ways in which sins differ from one another, and they are bound to confess their sins according to this knowledge: that is, they must confess in such a way that the confessor knows the distinct kinds of mortal sins they thought they committed. One extreme is a detailed description of what they did; the other is a very general statement that forces a confessor to ask embarrassing questions which could easily be avoided.

    “Putting aside all technicalities, we can say that the penitent is expected to give the confessor in his own language a simple answer to the following four questions: 1) Was the sin internal or external? In other words, was it merely a sin of thought, or was it externalized by word or action? For example, it is not sufficient to say ‘I intended to steal’ if one actually did steal. 2) What commandment or virtue was violated? These are the two ordinary ways of classifying sins. Either method is permissible in confessing: for example, one may say, ‘I sinned against the 7th Commandment’ or ‘I sinned against justice.’ If the next question is correctly answered, it will include the answer to this present one. 3) How was the commandment or virtue violated? A confession in which one stated merely the commandment or virtue violated would be too general and would force the confessor to ask questions in order to determine more precisely the kind of sin committed. The commandments and virtues can be violated in various ways, and it is in distinguishing these varieties of sin that theologians make their finest distinctions. These refinements, as was stated, are not always known; but, generally speaking, the more common distinctions (for example, those listed in the catechism) are known and should be manifested to the confessor. For instance, a man guilty of serious calumny is not sufficiently definite in his confession if he merely states, ‘I sinned seriously against justice’ or ‘I sinned seriously against the eighth commandment.’ He must specify that he spoke falsely against his neighbor in a serious matter. 4) Were there any special circumstances that would seriously alter the nature of the sin committed? Practically speaking, this question refers to those circumstances in which a person has more than one serious obligation for doing or avoiding something. Therefore, when he sins he violates two distinct obligations. For instance, the same act may be a serious sin against justice and against the vow of chastity. Scandal given by a superior who is charged with the spiritual care of his subjects is different from scandal given by others. Sins against parents (hatred, refusal to help them when in serious need, or insulting them) differ from the same sins committed against others, because the special relationship often adds a special obligation. (Note: It is advisable to warn all that if they have something they think should be confessed and they do not know just how to say it, they should tell their confessor that, and he will help them with some simple questions.)”

Hope this helps your preparation for confession. It's thorough but not really oppressive, not too "legalistic," I think. Just follow along and objectively assess things. Then go to confession.

But as we continue our preparations, let's not forget today's exhortation to "Rejoice!". Here now a wonderful choir of Dominican friars, who just released a new CD. Their marvelous choral presentation is just right for this joyful Gaudete Sunday.

Divine Infant of Bethlehem,

Come and take birth in our hearts!