To The Scrupulous

While working on a new post this morning, I received a message from one of this blogs avid readers that said everything I wanted to say. So, taking a page from Fr. Hoevel's old book, I give you this to consider from Mark Mallett's blog. Thanks to Janice for sending this.

A word of encouragement to those struggling with scrupulosity: frequent Confession should not be thought of as the need to be perfect at each moment. Can you really be perfect? You will not be perfect until you are in Heaven, and only God can make you thus. Rather, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is given in order to heal the wounds of sin and help you grow in perfection. You are loved, even when you sin! But because He loves you, He wants to help you conquer and destroy the power of sin in your life.

Do not let your imperfection be a cause of discouragement. Rather, it is an opportunity to become smaller and smaller, more and more like a child dependent upon God: "blessed are the poor." Scripture says He exalts not the perfect, but the humble. Furthermore, these venial sins which you battle with do not separate you from Christ.

Venial sin does not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace, friendship with God, charity, and consequently eternal happiness. —Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1863

Have confidence then in His love, and inner joy and peace will be yours without having to run to the confessional everytime you commit a venial sin (see n. 1458 in the Catechism.) He is injured more by your lack of trust in His mercy than by your weakness. It is through this acceptance of both your frailty and His mercy which produces a testimony. And it is by the word of your testimony that Satan is conquered (see Rev 12:11).