The Six Antitheses and a Fresh Look at Confession

I have not been to Confession for almost two months now. I started out doing it pretty regularly (monthly). I was clearly blessed by the Sacramental Grace (CCC 2003) I received each time I went. But then it is so easy to lose the discipline to spend time on the Examination of Conscience. But praise God, I was reminded multiple times through my readings this past week:

(1) Ephesians 4:17-32 - (the bold-face words really spoke to me)
Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart. They have lost all sensitivity and have abandoned themselves to licentiousness, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. That is not the way you learned Christ! For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus. You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

(2) Scott Hahn's book "Lord, Have Mercy: The Healing Power of Confession"
This is the second time I am reading through this book and I am still being touched by the clear exhortation which helps me to understand and desire the Sacrament of Confession more.

(3) Sermon on the Mount - the Six Antitheses Matthews 5:21-48
I read again this morning these familiar passages. Jesus acts with divine authority to perfect and deepen the moral codes of the Mosiac Law. Each antithesis follows a similar format: Jesus cites the Old Law, saying, you have heard that it was said (Mt 5: 21, 27, 31, 33, 38, 43), and responds with the refrain, But I say to you (5:22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44). The pattern underscores Jesus' authority as a new Moses and the lawgiver of the New Covenant. (Italics text from the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible).

1. You shall not kill: Do I have personal anger towards others? What about private slander? Calling someone "You fool!"? Guilty! I am suddenly not as innocent as I thought.
2. You shall not commit adultery: Have I not looked lustfully at other women? I can't stop lustful thoughts entering my mind but have I let them stay a little longer than they should? What have I done to discipline myself to stay pure in my thoughts. Have I taken it to heart the instruction "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8)
3. Divorce:  Read Matthew 19:1-10 to understand the insolubility of marriage. The church clearly teaches (CCC 2382) - The Lord Jesus insisted on the original intention of the Creator who willed that marriage be indissoluble. He abrogates the accommodations that had slipped into the old Law. Between the baptized, "a ratified and consummated marriage cannot be dissolved by any human power or for any reason other than death." This short Catholic Answers video is really helpful. Have I nurtured my wonderful marriage which God blessed me with?
4. You shall not swear falsely: Perhaps this is something I don't do much of. Or do I? Here Jesus forbids oath swearing for private purposes (see these 3 examples in Matthews 14:7; 26:72-74; 27:25). It is safe to follow this simple practice: "Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one" (Matthews 5:37) Have I acted with integrity?
5. An eye for an eye: So this and the next one generated more confusion for the well meaning Christians. The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible is very helpful here: Jesus forbids the misuse of Mosiac civil law to justify private vengeance. Exodus 21:24 was meant to limit retribution... The punishment had to fit the crime but not exceed it... Simon of Cyrene was forced under this custom to carry Jesus' Cross in 27:32. Jesus calls for ungrudging generosity beyond the required call of duty. Have I had occasion trying to get even with someone who injured me? Am I generous to give above and beyond the call of duty?
6. You shall love your neighbor... love your enemies: What can I say? I am so far short! "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthews 5:46-48)

There is so much to learn! I have so much to tell the priest - through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault... Time for the next confession! Thank God for such a gift!