True repentance involves contrition and conversion an ongoing change and transformation of heart and direction throughout one's faith journey
Remorse alone isn't sufficient for forgiveness. Contrition involves a deeper sorrow for having offended God and a turning away from sin and wanting to confess sin.
Conversion involves sorrow and abhorrence for sins, coupled with a firm resolution to avoid sin in the future. It encompasses both past and future, fueled and nourished by hope in God's mercy
Conversion requires acknowledging one's sin, rejecting evil, restoring friendship with God, and establishing a new interior order
Do require confession and penance, but must be accompanied by a genuine turning back to God. Confession was to the wrong people, not to God.
Only God can forgive sins
God's grace, including the offer of repentance, is extended to all, including Judas. However, the effectiveness of grace depends on the individual's free will and cooperation. Judas, in his despair, did not embrace the grace offered, leading to his tragic end. The Catholic Church teaches that God's grace is always available, but it requires a response from the individual to be effective in their salvation.
• Universal Offer: God's offer of salvation and grace extends to all humanity. God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4).
• Opportunity for Repentance: Judas, like any other person, was given the opportunity to repent and turn back to God. The Lord awaits our repentance and forgives us if we repent, convert, and confess our sins.
• Rejection of Grace: Despite the offer, Judas ultimately rejected this grace by despairing and taking his own life. His free will led him to turn away from the possibility of divine mercy.
• Free Will: Man may receive or reject the inspiration of God, turn to God, or remain in sin. Grace does not constrain man's free will.
• Cooperation with Grace: All stages of the spiritual life require cooperation between human freedom and the grace of God. Grace cannot be achieved or merited as a result of zealous spiritual labor; it is given solely as a gift.
• Lack of Hope: Judas's despair and suicide indicated a lack of hope in God's mercy, preventing him from cooperating with the grace offered.
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