The Sacrament of Reconciliation Mr. Pablo Cuadra Religion Class "But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered against him. Ezekiel 18:21-22

Sacrament of Reconciliation  “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Sacrament of Reconciliation ““Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners” Mark 2:17

Sin is Like Leprosy Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5 It corrupts all that is good and noble in us

Sin is like a Fracture It separates us from God’s Friendship He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." Genesis 3:10

Sin Lead us to Spiritual Death  Revelation 20: Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

The Sacraments of Healing  There are two sacraments of healing:  A. Reconciliation or Penance also known as Confession.  B. Anointing of the sick

Sin leads us to spiritual darkness  1 John 2:9-11

Sacrament of Reconciliation OOnly God brings true forgiveness and Peace. JJohn 14:27 MMatthew 11: 28

Sin is A heavy burden

Sacrament of Reconciliation PPenance is an invitation to Conversion. AA call to forgiveness AA spiritual U-turn

Conversion  For conversion to happen we must have:  Desire (Thirst for God)  Resolution

Interior conversion  Interior Conversion is expressed in outward concrete signs and actions  Ex: Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving

Interior conversion  Reaching out to people  Defending justice and right  Reading the scriptures

Names for the Sacrament of Reconciliation  Sacrament of Confession  Sacrament of Penance  Sacrament of Forgiveness  Sacrament of healing

Essentials of the Sacrament  Contrition (sorrow)  Resolution = a firm desire not to offend God through sinful behavior.  Confession = the enumeration of our sins.  Satisfaction = Penance, making amends.  A person that goes to confession to threatens the life of another is not making a confession. He or she is making a threat.  The priest is not bound in this case to keep the seal of confession.

Contrition  Real interior sorrow and repentance for one’s sins.  Two types: A. Perfect Contrition B. Imperfect Contrition

Perfect Contrition  Sorrow out of true love for God.

Imperfect Contrition  Sorrow out of Fear for eternal punishment.

Confession  Confession is the disclosure of our sins to the minister  Confession is the admission of guilt  “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "— and you forgave the guilt of my sin ”. Psalm 32:5

Examination of Conscience  A close look at our sins.  An inventory of our lives.  An honest inspection of the way we live.  An essential component in the preparation for the sacrament of reconciliation.

Satisfaction TThe repair of the damage caused by our sins. IIt involves penance, making amends. AAmends= making up for what we do wrong.

Absolution  A blessing of forgiveness.  The priest acting in the person of Christ and through his power absolves the penitent from his or her sin.  Again Jesus said,  " Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." John 20:  Only bishops and priests can give absolution and hear confessions.  The minister of confession is bound by the seal of confession, under penalty of ex- communication.  He cannot reveal any sins confessed.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation  Tips:  Receive this sacrament as often as possible.  Make an examination of conscience before going to confession.  Make an honest confession (do not exaggerate your sins, do not talk about others in your confession, do not mention any names. Do not avoid confessing certain sins out of shame.)  Trust in God’s mercy.  Fulfill your penance with a contrite, joyful heart.  Give thanks to Almighty God for his unending mercy and love.  Pray for the unrepentant hearts that are harden by sin.  Ask the Good Lord to give you his grace, to live a life worthy of the Gospel.