Our attitude toward the Sacrament of Reconciliation is intimately related to our image of God. We need to really believe that our God is not some judge waiting to trip us up, but a great Lord who is ever ready to reach out in forgiveness.

While it's true that when you sin you turn away from God, it does not follow that God turns away from you.

The God you encounter in the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the God of compassion. In the battle against sin, God is on your side. That doesn't mean God is pleased by sin. Rather, it means that, because of an overwhelming love for us, God reaches out even further to meet us when we need Him most.