As a Lutheran Christian I have the privilege of going to Private Confession and Absolution whenever I feel the need. I really should go more often because it helps me recall who I am and who God is. Well, since I'm "The Angry Gnome" I went to confession last night. Our church has regular hours posted for Private Confession and Absolution prior to the Thursday night Holy Eucharist. There I confessed my unreasonable anger and my tendency to mock others and my excessive sarcasm along with my myriad other sins. My pastor counseled me, after absolving me of my sins, that this behavior is a sign of false pride. Looking down on others, I attempt to exalt myself, this is, indeed, The Original Sin of Adam. "I will be like God!" Of course the cure is to put to death the Old Adam through daily repentance and recollection of my baptism and to immerse myself in the Holy Scriptures and in prayer. Thank the Lord that He has provided us this consolation in the church, Confession, Absolution and the Lord's very body and blood shed for us for the forgiveness of sins given to us personally into our hands and mouth through the Holy Supper. Praise the Lord!
Two good explanations of the benefits of Private Confession And Absolution are here:
and
An Explanation of The Small Catechism, Confession
Luke 14: 7-11
7Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8"When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this person,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Two good explanations of the benefits of Private Confession And Absolution are here:
and
An Explanation of The Small Catechism, Confession
Luke 14: 7-11
7Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8"When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this person,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
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