The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

What’s Going on with Confession? Can you be a good Catholic and not go to Confession? Precept of the Church  Catholics must confess their sins at least once a year (Easter duty). Going to Confession is the “ordinary” way that we are forgiven of our sins. Different names for Confession Penance Reconciliation  “to rejoin or to put back together”

Understanding the Sacrament of Penance Forgiveness of sins is one of the reasons God became man in the person of Jesus. As we read in the Bible, Jesus’ whole life, death, and Resurrection was all about forgiveness. The Sacrament of Penance reminds us of three important points: God’s infinite mercy Our call for an ongoing conversion We are reconciled to the Church

God’s Infinite Mercy God is merciful, because God loves us. Scriptures reveals to us that it is God who loved us first. Penance gives us the opportunity to respond to God’s invitation, friendship, and love by receiving his mercy.

On Going Conversion When Jesus calls us “to repent and believe in the Gospel”, he invites us to enter into a true relationship with him by our “conversion of heart.” Being in a relationship with God is more than following the rules, it is about love, generosity, and sacrifice. It’s not about fulfilling an obligation, it’s about love. Our love for God is equally expressed in our love for neighbor. In John 15 Jesus says: “I no longer call you slaves, I have called you friends.” (v.15) “No greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (v. 13).

The Church and the Sacrament of Penance Jesus delegated to his Apostles the power to forgive in his name. It is through the Church in the person of the Apostles (in the bishops and the priests) that future Christians will experience Jesus’ power of forgiveness. There are three occasions in the New Testament in which Jesus gave this power (pg. 158): Mt. 16:18-19 – “I will give to you the keys to the kingdom of heaven… Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Mt. 18:18 Jn. 20:22-23 – “Whose sins you shall forgive are forgiven them, whose sins you retain are retained.”

Some History Shepherd of Hermas (AD 140-150): Christians who committed serious sins (idolatry, murder, and apostasy) were admitted into the Order of Penitents. Was done only once in a lifetime and it was done publicly. Irish missionaries (7th century) – developed private confessions, that included penance and absolution. Penitentaries developed telling exactly what penance to give; was seen as overemphasis of justice over mercy. 1900 – 1960’s – many Catholics went to Confession weekly Second Vatican Council  emphasis on God’s mercy and conversion over guilt

Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation The revised Rite of Reconciliation allows for three ways to celebrate the Sacrament: Private individual confession – behind the screen or face to face Communal celebration with individual confession and absolution Communal celebration with general confession and absolution – only in an emergency situation and may require the permission of the bishop.

Examination of Conscience Definition  based on the Ten Commandments, these are honest assessments of how well we have lived God’s commandment of love. See 161-162

The Essential Parts of the Sacrament of Reconciliation

1. Contrition and Firm Purpose of Amendment Heartfelt sorrow and aversion for sin committed with the intention of sinning no more. Perfect contrition – we are sorry because we love God Imperfect contrition – we are sorry because we don’t want to be punished. Frequent confession and a consistent prayer life can reduce concupisence Personal sins – both sins of thought or attitude (mental) and hurtful actions (actual) must be confessed. Mortal sins must be confessed. What are the conditions for mortal sins? Grave matter, sufficient reflection, full-consent Unrepented mortal sins destroy and separate us from God eternally. We are encouraged to confess venial sins because they weaken our relationship with God and the Church.

2. Confession of Sins and Satisfaction Confessing one’s sin through the priest is the ordinary manner by which Catholics are forgiven of their sins. Confessing it to the priest is our acknowledgement that our sins have affected and caused harm to others. No sin is ever committed in isolation. Deliberate omission of a mortal sin cannot be guaranteed forgiveness and is a sacrilege.

Satisfaction Forgiven sins still has consequences. We must perform a penance to repair the damages caused by our sins. Penances are imposed by the priest in accord with the gravity and nature of the sins committed.

Absolution The priest grants the grace of forgiveness on behalf of Christ and the Church after the person makes an Act of Contrition Priests are bound by the sacramental seal to keep whatever is said and or heard in Confession under the pain of excommunication. Priests may offer some spiritual advice in confession to assist the penitent. Someone who needs more time to talk about other things should make an appointment to meet with the priest outside of confession.

The Grace of the Sacraments Reconciliation with God Reconciliation with the Church Sin can sever our relationship with God and the Church  this is why we cannot present ourselves for Holy Communion if we are conscious of mortal sins Sins such as abortion, apostasy, heresy, schism; violating the seal of confession; physically attacking the pope; pretending to be a priest, can incur automatic excommunication. Reconciliation with Self Peace of conscience, spiritual consolation, and restoration of graces and blessings.

Indulgences A partial or total wiping away of punishment due for sins that have been forgiven. The consequences of our sins can be “worked-off” in this life or in purgatory. Indulgences can be obtained for ourselves or for others. We can gain a partial indulgence or a plenary (full) indulgence. In addition to truly loving God and detesting sin a person must do four things: Sacramental Confession Receive Holy Communion Pray for the intentions of the Pope Perform an act to which the indulgence is attached (i.e. visiting a shrine)

We Re Changed By God’s Forgiveness Being forgiven transforms us into a new person People who have been transformed practice discipline in three ways: fasting, prayer, and almsgiving Those who experience forgiveness are encouraged to forgive others. Being forgiven means we stop being angry with others. True forgiveness -- Jesus tells us, even if others hurt us, do not give us the right to get even or strike back. Loving our enemies helps break the chain of violence and vengeance. We are called to be ambassadors of peace and justice We are called to perfection – to be detached from sin and sinful way of life.