tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349852820814335020.post2295493507970017112..comments2023-06-15T09:56:41.124-07:00Comments on Ramblings of a country pastor: Forging Forward in Hope: Lent 2017Fr Bill Peckmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645306356294218503noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349852820814335020.post-44946939395599575082017-03-08T11:52:38.572-08:002017-03-08T11:52:38.572-08:00I initially read this when it was first available,...I initially read this when it was first available, but I saved it to reread when needed and today was that day. <br />Added prayer: check. <br />Intense fasting: check.<br />Almsgiving: check.<br />Confession: check...but...<br />I noticed something at my last confession. I was at a loss for words, for once. What had always drawn me into the box before was a need to confess serious sin. That's probably why I went infrequently. The good news - serious sin for me didn't occur all that often. The bad news? Still needing and wanting the grace that comes from partaking in this sacrament. But how to "make a good confession?" All the little pamphlets scattered in church vestibules, the Confession App I keep on my cellphone, the endless articles I've read online and STILL I found myself babbling, knowing there was more for me to ferret out but not knowing how. <br />This Lent has been markedly different for me, for several reasons, but the most notable difference has been starting early, with N90. I didn't mean to start with Ninevah 90. I was planning on beginning a strict fast on the day after Septuagesima Sunday because an online friend was doing it and I was intrigued. When I read your Facebook post, Fr. Bill, stating that you were going to try it I thought, "Well. Maybe Someone is trying to get me to notice this N90 thing. What the heck, I'll give it a shot." That was the best decision I've made in many years and it may well turn out to be the best EVER. Because of the "fast on steroids" as my friend calls it, I've been able to focus with a clarity I've never known before, specifically on my spiritual life. Lots of room for improvement there, and I can honestly say that it has gotten richer and more focused. But another, unexpected benefit has been the realization that there is much that needs to be cleaned up, lots of baggage that needs to be dropped, and priorities that need to be shifted. I didn't expect that. <br />So confession. I just found an article posted on one of my regular pages that is probably the most thorough examination of conscience I've ever come across. <br />List of Grave Sins 2017.pages (528 KB)<br />http://defendthecatholicfaith.pcriot.com/2017/03/05/list-of-mortal-sins-every-catholic-should-know/ <br /><br />I'm going to print it out and go over it slowly and carefully because I want to really clean house, as I never have before. <br />What a revelation this has all been, Father. And it was, again, your FB post late last night (3/7/17) that served as the kick in the pants --AGAIN-- to serious-up. <br />Thank you AGAIN...particularly for sharing your N90 Lenten journey with everyone. You can't possibly know how much that generosity of yours in doing so has helped.Mahdjihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09480495953867072040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8349852820814335020.post-91676568645719335822017-03-08T11:25:14.593-08:002017-03-08T11:25:14.593-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Mahdjihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09480495953867072040noreply@blogger.com