the Blessed Mother takes care of us too. When she sees that we are in trouble and need help, she will ask Jesus to help us. And because Jesus loves Mary so much, He will do what she asks Him to do.
(the catholic mother's helper, 1948)
Sin is a revolt against God, an assertion of our independence against Him, an act of arrogance and pride. The adequate reaction that corresponds to it is humiliation, the bending of the stiff neck, the offering of a contrite spirit. The principal form of humiliation proceeding immediately from sin is the manifestation to oneself and others of its horror and shamefulness. This is the consequence and one of the punishments of sin: "For there is nothing hid that shall not be made manifest" (Mark iv. 22). Unforgiven sins will be manifested to all men at the day of judgment; and the full knowledge of them in all their bearings will be the chief element of the worm of conscience that never dieth. A recognition and modified manifestation of sin would be the proper form for the sinner's voluntary atonement to take. As conquered rebels of old knelt before their lord with bared head and ropes round their necks, offering themselves for punishment that they might escape it; so man submits himself to an ordeal now which takes the place of the manifestation before the judgment-seat of Christ (2 Cor. v. 10). The Apostle says: "If we would judge ourselves we should not be judged" (1 Cor. xi. 31). By confession we show ourselves to be conscious of guilt, judge ourselves deserving of punishment, and so, fitly prepare the way for forgiveness. Thank God for accepting a small humiliation from you instead of that which is due. Indeed "it is good for me that Thou hast humbled me" (Ps. cxviii. 71).
