I think my feelings come from growing up in a highly dysfunctional household where you were punished or yelled at for just about everything. I was actually thinking here about my neighbors disliking me. I was thinking in eschatological terms.
Thanks Father - you are right and it is good you affirm that. Isn't it also connected to the conditions needed for imperfect contrition? And of course, it is also part of the Act of Contrition: "I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell..." While "but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life" constitutes the condition for perfect contrition I think.
I might add - I went to confession yesterday and the grace of absolution removes guilt for sin, and one is granted pardon and peace. It may explain why I love frequent confession.
Fear of punishment is not as motivating as love of virtue. I read this post as depicting negative quilt and scrupulosity. Something once very prevalent in religious training and particular to a certain Catholic mindset.
Please comment with charity and avoid ad hominem attacks. I exercise the right to delete comments I find inappropriate. If you use your real name there is a better chance your comment will stay put.
I know this feeling. It is not good. It is not what God intended for us. Mercy and love is what He gives us, not fear.
ReplyDeleteI think my feelings come from growing up in a highly dysfunctional household where you were punished or yelled at for just about everything. I was actually thinking here about my neighbors disliking me. I was thinking in eschatological terms.
DeleteI appreciate your comment though - thanks.
Fear of hell is a grace, if one in fact is headed there, or tempted to go there. Such is our Faith, defined at Trent.
ReplyDeleteThanks Father - you are right and it is good you affirm that. Isn't it also connected to the conditions needed for imperfect contrition? And of course, it is also part of the Act of Contrition: "I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell..." While "but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life" constitutes the condition for perfect contrition I think.
DeleteI hope that's right.
I might add - I went to confession yesterday and the grace of absolution removes guilt for sin, and one is granted pardon and peace. It may explain why I love frequent confession.
ReplyDeleteFear of punishment is not as motivating as love of virtue. I read this post as depicting negative quilt and scrupulosity. Something once very prevalent in religious training and particular to a certain Catholic mindset.
ReplyDelete