Sacraments of Healing

Chapter 14

An Introduction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtbpOERgMvk

Christ’s Healing

We all need spiritual and physical healing- often more than we would like to admit.

Suffering is unavoidable, but it has redemptive value

Christ gave us these sacraments to mitigate our suffering, reconciling us to God and one another, and strengthening us in illness

The heart of Christ’s salvific mission– we should be eager for His healing.

The Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliatio

n Penance: the sacrament in which Jesus

(through the actions of a priest) forgives sins committed after Baptism.

Restores our communion with God.

Because of Original Sin, we have a tendency toward sin (concupiscence).

This sacrament offers forgiveness and allows us to experience a conversion of heart- recommitting ourselves to holiness.

What is sin?

“an utterance, deed, or desire contrary to the eternal law”; an offense against God

Mortal Sins: grave offenses which separate the sinner from God’s divine love.

Those who die in a state of deliberate and unrepentent sin will be separated from God for all eternity (Hell)

The conditions of Mortal Sin:

Grave matter, full knowledge, freely chosen (consent)

What is sin?

Venial Sins: an act that transgresses moral law, but doesn’t meet all three requirements for mortal sin.

Damages relationship with God, but doesn’t sever it

“slippery slope”

Receiving sacrament of Penance helps us combat venial sins by giving us actual grace and strengthening our union with Jesus.

Commission, Omission, Oh my!

“In what I have done and in what I have failed to do”

Commission an action that is done!

Omission failing to do an action required by God’s law OR failing to act virtuously in a given situation

Roots of the Sacrament

Old Testament

The “fall”

The 10 Commandments

Need for repentance and the promise of a Messiah

Instituted by Christ

Jesus forgave sins

Gave authority to his disciples to do the same (Jn 20:22-23)

Why go to Confession?

Jesus set the precedent

If he gave the authority to forgive sins to the ministers of the Church…

…we need to go to them to seek that reconciliation

Communal aspect– human nature– hearing the words from Jesus (through the priest)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz5-vu6A58E

Celebrating Penance

Ordinarily celebrated in a confessional or reconciliation room.

Any baptized Catholic may receive sacrament

Required to go once/year (precept of the Church)

Required to go before receiving 1st Communion

Matter, Form, Minister

Matter: “Acts of the Penitent”

Contrition: true sorrow for having sinned (Sacrament is ineffective if contrition is not substantial)

Confession: disclosure of sins to the priest (especially mortal sins in kind and number)

Satisfaction: the penance itself (usu. Prayers, acts of mercy, etc.)

Matter, Form, Minister

Form: the words of Absolution

Minister: a bishop or priest, who has been given authority through Holy Orders to forgive sins

A priest can’t divulge to anyone what he hears in the Sacrament– called the “seal of confession”

The Rite of Penance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjVck3euhWY

Originally celebrated publically

Penances were performed over a period of time

7th century: Sacrament became a private affair

Rites remained the same: Contrition, Confession, Satisfaction

Latin v. Eastern Rite

LATIN RITE:

Can be anonymous or face to face

Begin with sign of the cross then ask forgiveness and state how long it’s been since the last time

List the sins

Act of Contrition

Priest offers absolution

Penance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJg29UG6028

Latin v. Eastern Rite

EASTERN:

Penitent stands before Christ with bishop/priest standing by

Act of Contrition

Confess sins to the image of Christ and the minister

Minister gives penance, advice, and absolution

Effects of Penance

Forgives mortal sins, restores state of grace, allows us to return to Holy Communion, and removes eternal punishment for mortal sin (Hell)

Forgives venial sins, remits time in Purgatory

Reconciles us to God and the Church, restores grace, grants peace of conscience, provides spiritual consolation

Strengthens us, confers actual grace to avoid sin

Anointing of the Sick

Gives health to the soul (and sometimes the body) through prayer and anointing with oil.

Commends those who are ill to the Lord

The Old Testament linked suffering with sin

Instituted by Christ in examples of Him healing people

Christ’s healing ministry is perpetuated in the ministry of the Church (James 5:14-16)

Celebration of Anointing

May be received by a Christian who has reached the Age of Reason and is in danger of death, prior to serious operations, someone who has just died (conditionally).

May be given more than once

Matter: sacred oil and laying on of hands

Form: prayer, communal liturgy

Minister: bishop or priest ONLY

The Rite

In an ideal situation, Anointing will fall between the Sacrament of Penance and reception of the Eucharist

Effects of Anointing

Unites the suffering person to Jesus’ passion

Provides strength

Forgives sins

Can restore health

Preparation for death

A Summary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEppjWNO2y4