Another obstacle to going to confession I often hear from people is they don’t know what to confess. Prior to the Second Vatican Council, morality seemed so black and white – we knew clearly what was and wasn’t a sin. Today however there seems difficulty discerning what is appropriate matter for confession. First, to be culpable (responsible) for a sin we must know and understand that what we have done or neglected to do is sinful. We can’t be guilty of something we are unaware is a sin. A thorough Examination of Conscience will help us to discern our sins both of commission and omission. To do this, we could start by remembering the Ten Commandments and determining if we are guilty of breaking any of these. The Confession feature on the “My Parish App” bases its Examination of Conscience on the Ten Commandments and how they apply to us today. Or we might simply reflect on Jesus’ great commandment of love: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength, and your neighbor as yourself.” How have I been unloving toward God, others or myself either through my actions or neglect? There are also many other places to find more detailed Examinations of Conscience including the Catholic Bishops’ website usccb.org and the Paulist website bustedhalo.com. Google “examination of conscience” and you’ll find a variety of links. Then there is always the question of the gravity of a sin. A serious (mortal) sin must involve a very serious matter that we knowingly and freely do. Venial sins would be those matters that are less serious or impactful, and/or those which we may do without full knowledge of their sinfulness or full freedom of will. Finally, as we examine our conscience, we must ask whether we have been complicit in “social sin.” So often we think only of our personal sins – what I myself have done or failed to do. But what about sins that affect society in a more global way: my attitudes of prejudice or racism; a lack of care or concern for the environment; purchasing goods made in sweatshops or with child or slave labor? After we’ve thoroughly examined our conscience we probably will “feel like dirt.” But the good news is that our Lord is gracious and merciful, offering us abundant love and mercy in the face of our sins. As Lent comes to a close this year, more fully understanding the history, the beauty and the “how to” of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, may we be motivated to seek out that overflowing mercy of God that we’ve been hearing about in the Gospels these past several Sundays, and to find peace and reconciliation with the Lord, with the Church and within our own hearts.