How to Benefit from the Holy Liturgy - Pope Kirillos Scientific Family

Confess your sins in detail, and do not hide anything, regardless
of how embarrassing the sins may be. Remember the Apostle’s
words: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from our
unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Do not condemn others, or
circumstances around you, or justify yourself, for “If we say
that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is
not in us” (1 John 1:10).
Confess all your sins, as the Prophet says, “Pour out your heart
like water before the face of the Lord” (Lamentations 2:19).
The Prophet used the metaphor of “water” specifically, because
water never leaves any traces or marks in the cup after it is
poured out. Likewise, when your confession is complete and
honest, it will never leave any stains inside of your heart.
You should know that you are confessing before God, not
before a human being, because the Holy Spirit is present at that
moment to listen and grant forgiveness.
The priest is like a spiritual doctor, who will help cure you of
your sins and weaknesses by giving you advice to your
problems, for as the Apostle said: “Confess your trespasses to
one another and pray for one another, that you may be
healed” (James 5:16).
The same way that a patient never hides any illness from their
doctor, so that the doctor can give the appropriate medication,
we must be even more honest with our priest in describing our
spiritual illnesses, so that he can help us in our spiritual life and
growth.
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