Spiritual Direction

There are those who say that the greatest disservice the church has ever done for christian society was diminishing the importance of reconciliation. I think that's a bit of a overstatement, in the end. But, the point they offer is that there was a sense of humility when reconciliation was more the norm than it is today. There was less counseling, fewer divorces, and a whole host of other societal problems that weren't as chronic. And, even though I hesitate to make a strict causal connection, I am just as hesitant to deny it totally. I don't know how to change the problem, though historically, things have a way of fixing themselves.

One of the things that may help us to realize the importance of confession is spiritual direction. I spend one full hour talking to one of my brother priests about my spiritual life and it is so incredibly helpful when I approach the sacrament of reconciliation. I've usually worked through my difficulties and problems with my spiritual director and am prepared to be reconciled with God and "Go and sin no more". If I were to offer an analogy, I'd say sin is like an injury, spiritual direction is the physical therapy and confession the orders to leave. Now, if only I could get to the point in life where I wouldn't walk right out and do the same darn things all over again.