1. Sacrament of Reconciliation

2. From Alienation to Reconciliation
Stage 1: Alienation
from Self/God/Family/Community
Ignorance
Blindness
Stage 2: Awareness
Raising of Conscience
Coming to Senses
Waking up
Hitting Bottom
“ I have sinned:” Sacramental Moment

3. WHO SAYS I’M A SINNER?
NO ONE has the right to call you a sinner or accuse you of committing a sin.
It is a PERSONAL realization, a grace, a sacramental moment.
You can be told that what you did was wrong or illegal or immoral, but whether or not it is a sin is between you and God.
Jonathan Edwards, author of the famous Puritan sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

4. From Alienation to Reconciliation
Stage 3: Conversion
“turning around”
change of heart
Metanoia “think again”
Stage 4: Contrition
Sorrow for doing wrong

5. From Alienation to Reconciliation
The Ritual of Reconciliation
Confession—words acknowledging sinfulness
Act of Contrition—words expressing sorrow
Penance— action demonstrating repentance of the sinner
Absolution—pronouncement of God’s forgiveness of sins

6. From Alienation to Reconciliation
Stage 5: Reconciliation with Self/God/Family/Community
Rodrigo’s reconciliation with the Guarani Indian tribe in The Mission
The Prodigal Son, Rembrandt

7. SIN
What is sin?
An action that alienates us from ourselves, others, and God.
What is serious sin?
A very grave or serious violation of God’s law done willingly and knowingly.
Also known as “mortal sin.”
Cuts us off completely from God.
Can only be forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconciliation

8. TYPES OF SIN What is venial sin? Reconciliation Eucharist
Venial means “forgivable.”
A less serious offense
Weakens our relationship with God, but does not cut us off.
Can be forgiven through any Sacrament, as long as there is true repentance.
Reconciliation
Eucharist

9. TYPES OF SIN Sin of Commission vs. Sin of Omission
A sin of commission is doing something sinful; an action.
A sin of omission is NOT doing something you could have done, usually for someone’s good; a lack of action.
Biblical example: the two men who passed by the hurt man in the story of Good Samaritan.
Modern example: passing by a homeless person without offering to help in some way.

10. TYPES OF SIN Personal Sin vs. Social Sin
Personal sin is an individual act of wrongdoing
Social sin is the wrongdoing of an entire community, usually against the common good.
Biblical examples:
The prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures; John the Baptist; Jesus
Modern Examples:
The economy (why are there homeless?); justice system (why do we kill people who kill?”); human rights (Amnesty International)
“If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.”

11. The Seven Deadly Sins Originally a list of mortal sins
Not sins so much as underlying attitudes that can lead to sinful behavior if left unchecked
Lust: excessive sexual thoughts
Gluttony: overindulgence to the point of waste
Greed: excessive acquisition of wealth
Sloth: excessive indifference, failure to act
Wrath: uncontrolled anger or hatred
Envy: excessive desire of what another has
Pride: excessive love of self (considered the worst of the Seven Deadly Sins because it leads to the others!)