In our modern age, it is quite fashionable to interpret Christ, the sacraments and every bit of prayer through our individual socio-political and linguistic filters. While our personal experiences are certainly known and understood by the ever-living God, far too often these cultural realities reinforce our self-absorption and therefore, our delusions about who and what we are before God, ourselves and others.
Thus, what is needed is a deep, serious and completely honest examination of conscience that leads to much-needed catharsis, which allows us to place our lives squarely in the hands of God. By removing the barriers that are built by personal labeling, sin and degradation are revealed, preparing us for the way of humility and our total self-gift.
This is how we grow as close as possible to God in this life and even closer to Him in the next.