Confession in an iPhone App?
Alrighty, the Catholic and geek blogosphere have merged the last few days discussing a new “confession” app for the iPhone. The Anchoress as always, has a couple of great posts talking about it and links to even more discussion on it. NPR has a pretty good piece on it as well, unlike CNN’s Kyra Phillips. For me, I don’t mind it at all, provided it makes it clear that it’s not REPLACING confession, but rather, helping us prepare for confession. I’d check it out myself, but they don’t have an Android version yet.
And the nice thing is, even Protestants are finding the idea of the app useful.
But after looking more closely at the tool’s features, he said evangelicals should take a cue from their Catholic counterparts on the practice of confessions and checking their “spiritual temperature” with the Ten Commandments.
For me, I try to go to confession regularly, and while I don’t have an app, I do have a book that offers some good questions to ponder in order to help me make a good confession. To me, confession is something that is quite possibly, one of the best parts of being Catholic! When I was still a Protestant, I struggled with being able to accept the Lord’s forgiveness. I mean, I had my friends and church leaders saying that all I had to do was ask Jesus… but it was still hard to accept it. But now, as a Catholic, I can actually hear the words spoken, “Your sins are forgiven…” and know that while they’re spoken by a priest, the priest is acting under the authority of Christ. And it may be a small thing to some, but hearing the words spoken aloud… just helps me.
So I guess I’ll sign off with a few links that will help you to make a good confession.
- Fr. Z.’s tips on Making a Good Confession
- The Archdiocese of Boston’s page on making a good confession.
- A Confession Guide
So remember, don’t be afraid of confession! It’s scarier in your head and heart than it is in reality. :) And don’t forget that even the priests go to confession! They know how it feels! And you’re not alone! Plus, it feels SO great after you’re done. :D
