From a reader…
I am a baptized Catholic who strayed far away, dabbled in Buddhism for 17 years, and now realize all that was ridiculous nonsense. I want to come back to the Church. Where do I start?
First, good for you. You heeded the urging of the Holy Spirit, who never lets a single one of us go, so long as we are open to that which is good, beautiful and true. When we stray into dark and twisty places, God still works on us with graces to help us back to the straight road.
Your return to the Church and to reception of the sacraments is not complicated.
Go to confession!
That’s it.
Examine your conscience well, and go to confession. If you need to, make an appointment with a sound priest and have him help you with your confession.
What happens when you make your sincere confession? What happens even if you sincerely can’t remember every thing?
WHAMO! All your sins will be forgiven, taken away, gone, eradicated, washed clean in the Blood of the Lamb.
Though your sins be red as scarlet, they will become as white as snow.
There is no sin so horrible that we little mortals can commit that God will not forgive provide we ask for forgiveness.
So, friend, relax, look at your life with honesty, and go to confession. That’s it.
Then you will be able to go to Communion again just as if it were your First Holy Communion all over again.
Bless you.
