Episode 21 -- Treatise on Peace of Soul c15 -- What to Do and to Say After Sinning

What should we say to God after we have sinned?

We will look at the final chapter and finish the marvellous little book, A Treatise on Peace of Soul. Fr Scupoli adds to his advice from chapter 14 about responding to our own faults. He gives us some very valuable tips, a spiritual secret, on what to say to God when we fall.

Chapter 14 presents God as our merciful Father. It shows us the filial confidence we need after we sin. Filial comes from the Latin words, filius (son) filia (daughter). We need the confidence of a son or daughter towards their eternal Father. Our sins did not change who He is. He is who He has always been. Let us not focus so much on ourselves after our sins. Yes, prepare for confession, but be not disturbed. We are weak! We are fallen creatures. Without Him, we will fall.

Chapter 15 is about what positive steps we should take after sinning. He gives us a little method of speaking to God. In summary, we say:

1. God, you have seen what I have done in my weakness.

2. You have given me the grace to repent!

3. May I have the grace to never offend you again.

Then he wants us to proceed with our devotions without further pondering over our fall.