The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation Chapter 6

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The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation Chapter 6 Slide 2 WHATS GOING ON WITH CONFESSION? It is a precept of the Church to confess sins once a year by receiving Sacrament of Reconciliation Catholics believe that it is the only way to reconcile oneself with God and the Church It is a precept of the Church to confess sins once a year by receiving Sacrament of Reconciliation Catholics believe that it is the only way to reconcile oneself with God and the Church Slide 3 What Does This Mean? Individual, integral confession and absolution remain the only way for the faithful to reconcile themselves with God and the Church, unless physical or moral impossibility excuses from this kind of confession CCC 184 Individual, integral confession and absolution remain the only way for the faithful to reconcile themselves with God and the Church, unless physical or moral impossibility excuses from this kind of confession CCC 184 Slide 4 However 26% went to Confession once or more in a year 30% went to Confession less than once a year 45% Do not go to confession 2% go at least once a month 62% agreed that they could be a good Catholic without having to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation 26% went to Confession once or more in a year 30% went to Confession less than once a year 45% Do not go to confession 2% go at least once a month 62% agreed that they could be a good Catholic without having to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation Slide 5 A Different Outlook Catholics today focus less on isolated acts and focus more on attitudes and patterns of behavior Do you think this is appropriate? A spiritual rebirth which transforms the penitent into a new creature Pope Benedict XVI We must have a proper understanding of sin in order to ensure that we dont mistreat the gift of forgiveness and mercy Christ has given us in the sacrament We are not able to clearly define what is right and wrong, which will cause us to deem more and more evil actions as acceptable Catholics today focus less on isolated acts and focus more on attitudes and patterns of behavior Do you think this is appropriate? A spiritual rebirth which transforms the penitent into a new creature Pope Benedict XVI We must have a proper understanding of sin in order to ensure that we dont mistreat the gift of forgiveness and mercy Christ has given us in the sacrament We are not able to clearly define what is right and wrong, which will cause us to deem more and more evil actions as acceptable Slide 6 Importance of Confession Remember, a sacrament is efficacious Provides the grace to cleanse our souls of sin Remember, a sacrament is efficacious Provides the grace to cleanse our souls of sin Slide 7 Other Names Determined by what part someone is referring to Reconciliation Penance Conversion Confession Forgiveness Determined by what part someone is referring to Reconciliation Penance Conversion Confession Forgiveness Slide 8 UNDERSTANDING THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Initial Conversion = Baptism Continual Conversion = Reconciliation We are called to continual, and deeper levels of Conversion throughout life Conversion = turn away from one thing (Sin), towards another thing (Gods law of love) Initial Conversion = Baptism Continual Conversion = Reconciliation We are called to continual, and deeper levels of Conversion throughout life Conversion = turn away from one thing (Sin), towards another thing (Gods law of love) Slide 9 Gods Infinite Mercy Is imparted to us through the Sacrament not because we are deserving but only because God loves us Relationship/Friendship Cannot expect to reach a certain level and then just coast The relationship either keep getting stronger or it fades away (cultivate it through the sacraments) Inevitably there will be times when we sin against Him God offers us His mercy It is up to us if we will accept it Prodigal Son Is imparted to us through the Sacrament not because we are deserving but only because God loves us Relationship/Friendship Cannot expect to reach a certain level and then just coast The relationship either keep getting stronger or it fades away (cultivate it through the sacraments) Inevitably there will be times when we sin against Him God offers us His mercy It is up to us if we will accept it Prodigal Son Slide 10 Ongoing Conversion Conversion does not center around or end with Baptism It is more than exterior acts of penance It is a conversion of the heart Again, think relationship Christ does not keep us in the dark He practices love, tells us to love We do not hurt those we love; God offers us infinite love. This is why we keep His commandments Conversion does not center around or end with Baptism It is more than exterior acts of penance It is a conversion of the heart Again, think relationship Christ does not keep us in the dark He practices love, tells us to love We do not hurt those we love; God offers us infinite love. This is why we keep His commandments Slide 11 The Church and the Sacrament of Penance Jesus chose to give the Apostles the power to forgive sins in his name Sins not forgiven through their authority Christ works through them in the Spirit In this way all future Christians would have access to the Sacrament and Christ We experience Christ through the Church Jesus entrust his forgiveness to the Church Bishops and priests must remain faithful to Church teaching Do penance for the penitent Must always make themselves available to hear confessions (Priests) Jesus chose to give the Apostles the power to forgive sins in his name Sins not forgiven through their authority Christ works through them in the Spirit In this way all future Christians would have access to the Sacrament and Christ We experience Christ through the Church Jesus entrust his forgiveness to the Church Bishops and priests must remain faithful to Church teaching Do penance for the penitent Must always make themselves available to hear confessions (Priests) Slide 12 Brief History of Reconciliation Early Church Those who committed serious sins were enrolled in Order of Penitents All but booted from the Church No communion No contact with other Christians Went through rigorous discipline to restore themselves before bishop granted them forgiveness Early Church Those who committed serious sins were enrolled in Order of Penitents All but booted from the Church No communion No contact with other Christians Went through rigorous discipline to restore themselves before bishop granted them forgiveness Slide 13 Brief History of Reconciliation 7th Century Irish missionaries changed the celebration out of necessity No bishop available Began to hear private confessions Priest acted in Gods name Gave them penance; after penance the penitent came back and received absolution Eventually became the norm of the Church Overtime priests began to give absolution at the time of the confession with the understanding that the penitent would fulfill the penance as soon as they could 7th Century Irish missionaries changed the celebration out of necessity No bishop available Began to hear private confessions Priest acted in Gods name Gave them penance; after penance the penitent came back and received absolution Eventually became the norm of the Church Overtime priests began to give absolution at the time of the confession with the understanding that the penitent would fulfill the penance as soon as they could Slide 14 Brief History of Reconciliation People began to focus too much on the justice aspect of sin Got caught up in keeping score for their sins and their penance Lost sight of Gods mercy Vatican II Called for new Right of Penance in which the reconciliation aspect of the Sacrament was highlighted Focused on our ongoing covenant of love and friendship with God The importance for lifelong conversion (always turn back) People began to focus too much on the justice aspect of sin Got caught up in keeping score for their sins and their penance Lost sight of Gods mercy Vatican II Called for new Right of Penance in which the reconciliation aspect of the Sacrament was highlighted Focused on our ongoing covenant of love and friendship with God The importance for lifelong conversion (always turn back) Slide 15 CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILLIATION Three ways to celebrate the Sacrament: 1.Private Individual Confession 2.Communal celebration with individual confession and individual absolution 3.Communal celebration with general confession and general absolution Three ways to celebrate the Sacrament: 1.Private Individual Confession 2.Communal celebration with individual confession and individual absolution 3.Communal celebration with general confession and general absolution Slide 16 Private Individual Confession The only ordinary way for Catholics to be reconciled with God The most common celebration 1-on-1 with priest either behind a screen, in a reconciliation room, or face-to-face The only ordinary way for Catholics to be reconciled with God The most common celebration 1-on-1 with priest either behind a screen, in a reconciliation room, or face-to-face Slide 17 Communal celebration with individual confession and individual absolution Common in Parishes during Advent or Lent Community comes together for the Liturgy of the Word, homily, examination of conscience and communal request for forgiveness Then individual confession and absolution Ends with Our Father and thanksgiving prayer Common in Parishes during Advent or Lent Community comes together for the Liturgy of the Word, homily, examination of conscience and communal request for forgiveness Then individual confession and absolution Ends with Our Father and thanksgiving prayer Slide 18 Communal celebration with general confession and general absolution Reserved for cases of grave necessity Because no individual confession and absolution The diocesan bishop uses discretion to judge if conditions existed for general absolution Reserved for cases of grave necessity Because no individual confession and absolution The diocesan bishop uses discretion to judge if conditions existed for general absolution Slide 19 Examination of Conscience It is important to prepare for the sacrament of Reconciliation Allows us to recognize all of our sins so that we may be forgiven of them Additionally, it helps us to develop a stronger sense of sorrow for our sins, which ultimately leads us to true conversion and repentance from sin It is important to prepare for the sacrament of Reconciliation Allows us to recognize all of our sins so that we may be forgiven of them Additionally, it helps us to develop a stronger sense of sorrow for our sins, which ultimately leads us to true conversion and repentance from sin Slide 20 Contrition Heartfelt sorrow and disgust for sins committed, along with the intention to sin no more Most important act of penitents Necessary for for receiving absolution A movement that begins before the sacrament Imperfect = guilt as a result of fearing the consequences of our sins (Loss of our saving grace); Fear of punishment Perfect = guilt as a result of knowing that we have offended the One who loves us the most What we strive to achieve through repeated conversion and examination of conscience Heartfelt sorrow and disgust for sins committed, along with the intention to sin no more Most important act of penitents Necessary for for receiving absolution A movement that begins before the sacrament Imperfect = guilt as a result of fearing the consequences of our sins (Loss of our saving grace); Fear of punishment Perfect = guilt as a result of knowing that we have offended the One who loves us the most What we strive to achieve through repeated conversion and examination of conscience Slide 21 Sin An offense against God; a rejection of His love Fault against our conscience Concupiscence Our natural inclination to sin as a result of Original Sin Cannot be removed Personal sins (Mental & Actual) Venial Mortal Social sins ***Sin of omission An offense against God; a rejection of His love Fault against our conscience Concupiscence Our natural inclination to sin as a result of Original Sin Cannot be removed Personal sins (Mental & Actual) Venial Mortal Social sins ***Sin of omission Slide 22 Conditions for Mortal Sins Destroys our relationship with God Cannot be committed by accident 1.Must be of grave or serious matter Specified by Ten Commandments 2.Person must have full knowledge of gravity of sinful action 3.Person must freely consent to the action ***Essentially, there is a desire to do evil. However, it is our human nature to convince ourselves that what we do is not evil to clear us of that guilt. Destroys our relationship with God Cannot be committed by accident 1.Must be of grave or serious matter Specified by Ten Commandments 2.Person must have full knowledge of gravity of sinful action 3.Person must freely consent to the action ***Essentially, there is a desire to do evil. However, it is our human nature to convince ourselves that what we do is not evil to clear us of that guilt. Slide 23 Forgiveness The Sacrament of Penance does not automatically remove sin Not a get out of jail free card nor does it operate similar to a car wash God is ready and waiting to offer us forgiveness However, we must accept it and the only way to do so is to turn our heart away from the sinful things we desire and reposition it towards God Requires sincere contrition and heartfelt sorrow for sins The Sacrament of Penance does not automatically remove sin Not a get out of jail free card nor does it operate similar to a car wash God is ready and waiting to offer us forgiveness However, we must accept it and the only way to do so is to turn our heart away from the sinful things we desire and reposition it towards God Requires sincere contrition and heartfelt sorrow for sins Slide 24 Confession of Sins After making an examination of conscience all mortal sins must be confessed to a priest Expresses our faith in God The medicine cannot heal what it does not know. - St. Jerome **conscious withholding of sin to be confessed It is human to fall, but angelic to rise again. - St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier ** Dont be discouraged or find yourself unworthy. Trust in Gods mercy; dont commit sin against the H.S. The only unforgivable sin After making an examination of conscience all mortal sins must be confessed to a priest Expresses our faith in God The medicine cannot heal what it does not know. - St. Jerome **conscious withholding of sin to be confessed It is human to fall, but angelic to rise again. - St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier ** Dont be discouraged or find yourself unworthy. Trust in Gods mercy; dont commit sin against the H.S. The only unforgivable sin Slide 25 Satisfaction Righting your wrong Ex. In the case of stealing or slandering Penance is given by priest according to the sin committed and confessed Purpose is toHelp configure us to Christ CCC, 1460 Righting your wrong Ex. In the case of stealing or slandering Penance is given by priest according to the sin committed and confessed Purpose is toHelp configure us to Christ CCC, 1460 Slide 26 Absolution of Sin Sacramental seal Priests are bound to secrecy regarding any sins confessed Priest pronounces Gods forgiveness after he hears Act of Contrition and deems it genuine He is a servant, not a master of forgiveness This authority is received through Holy Orders Priests pray for and do penance for the penitents The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace. Repent of sin and be merciful to others Sacramental seal Priests are bound to secrecy regarding any sins confessed Priest pronounces Gods forgiveness after he hears Act of Contrition and deems it genuine He is a servant, not a master of forgiveness This authority is received through Holy Orders Priests pray for and do penance for the penitents The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace. Repent of sin and be merciful to others Slide 27 THE GRACE OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION JESUS IS THE SOURECE OF OUR LIFE AND HAPPINESS THEREFORE, WE NEED TO STAY CONNECTED TO HIM SIN WEAKENS OR COMPLETELY SEVERS THIS CONNECTION WE NEED THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION TO RESTORE THE CONNECTION - it is the only way to do so JESUS IS THE SOURECE OF OUR LIFE AND HAPPINESS THEREFORE, WE NEED TO STAY CONNECTED TO HIM SIN WEAKENS OR COMPLETELY SEVERS THIS CONNECTION WE NEED THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION TO RESTORE THE CONNECTION - it is the only way to do so Slide 28 The Nature of Reconciliation Reconciliation Greek word meaning to restore union, to rejoin, to put together again Involves our desire to to be in a relationship with that person again Our relationship with that person is important to us so we forgive the injustice, learn from the experience together and move forward Similar to a resurrection Life is restored Reconciliation Greek word meaning to restore union, to rejoin, to put together again Involves our desire to to be in a relationship with that person again Our relationship with that person is important to us so we forgive the injustice, learn from the experience together and move forward Similar to a resurrection Life is restored Slide 29 What Are Indulgences? a partial or total wiping away of punishment due for sins that have been forgiven Even though we have been forgiven the consequences of our sins reach far beyond our comprehension (ex. Abuse) All sins result in some degree of temporal punishment Must be worked off either in this world or the next; Purgatory Work with the Communion of Saints Partial indulgences free us from some of the responsibility of our sins Plenary indulgences free us from any responsibility we have for our sins a partial or total wiping away of punishment due for sins that have been forgiven Even though we have been forgiven the consequences of our sins reach far beyond our comprehension (ex. Abuse) All sins result in some degree of temporal punishment Must be worked off either in this world or the next; Purgatory Work with the Communion of Saints Partial indulgences free us from some of the responsibility of our sins Plenary indulgences free us from any responsibility we have for our sins Slide 30 Reconciliation with God & the Church Through the sacrament not only is our relationship with God restored but with the Church as well Body of Christ Sin destroys unity with both Why we only are to receive the Eucharist in a state of grace Communion - it is a sign of unity and when we willing choose to act against God and the Church we choose not to be united with them Our intentions are not consistent; We have an incorrect disposition/Attitude (self-centered) Through the sacrament not only is our relationship with God restored but with the Church as well Body of Christ Sin destroys unity with both Why we only are to receive the Eucharist in a state of grace Communion - it is a sign of unity and when we willing choose to act against God and the Church we choose not to be united with them Our intentions are not consistent; We have an incorrect disposition/Attitude (self-centered) Slide 31 Reconciliation with Self Human Dignity We are made in Likeness of God Sin goes against the standard by which we are created We are much better than sinful actions; Our soul does not deserve them We let ourselves down when we sin Through the sacrament we can forgive ourselves We are assured of Gods forgiveness As well as the restoration of our relationship with Him Human Dignity We are made in Likeness of God Sin goes against the standard by which we are created We are much better than sinful actions; Our soul does not deserve them We let ourselves down when we sin Through the sacrament we can forgive ourselves We are assured of Gods forgiveness As well as the restoration of our relationship with Him Slide 32 WE ARE CHANGED BY GODS FORGIVENESS When Jesus forgave someone he called the person to change their ways A transformation We are to form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. (CCC, 1458) Develop good habits and practices Just like being disciplined in academics and athletics; to a certain extent you have an ability. However; to be great you must put in the time and effort to improve. When Jesus forgave someone he called the person to change their ways A transformation We are to form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. (CCC, 1458) Develop good habits and practices Just like being disciplined in academics and athletics; to a certain extent you have an ability. However; to be great you must put in the time and effort to improve. Slide 33 Practice Discipline In addition to receiving forgiveness the Sacrament is also a form of spiritual discipline Decrease the frequency of sin Does not necessarily mean to decrease frequency of sacrament Become more aware of sins we may have never noticed Fasting Link physical discipline with spiritual We first learn through the senses Prayer Increase our awareness of our dependency upon God Almsgiving Detach ourselves from material things and serve others In addition to receiving forgiveness the Sacrament is also a form of spiritual discipline Decrease the frequency of sin Does not necessarily mean to decrease frequency of sacrament Become more aware of sins we may have never noticed Fasting Link physical discipline with spiritual We first learn through the senses Prayer Increase our awareness of our dependency upon God Almsgiving Detach ourselves from material things and serve others Slide 34 Return Forgiveness We are to always forgive others even if they dont make amends for their transgression Then Peter approaching asked him, Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times? Jesus answered, I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. (Mt 18:21-22) If you forgive others your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions. (Mt. 6:14) We are to always forgive others even if they dont make amends for their transgression Then Peter approaching asked him, Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times? Jesus answered, I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. (Mt 18:21-22) If you forgive others your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions. (Mt. 6:14) Slide 35 Refrain From Anger and Revenge Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you Helps to break the chain of evil and sin that has entered the world through Original Sin If we always retaliate or justify revenge the hate will always continue and be passed from person to person, generation to generation; harms humanity Think personal foul or penalty in athletics for retaliating Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you Helps to break the chain of evil and sin that has entered the world through Original Sin If we always retaliate or justify revenge the hate will always continue and be passed from person to person, generation to generation; harms humanity Think personal foul or penalty in athletics for retaliating Slide 36 Pursue Justice and Peace Initiate forgiveness Jesus calls us to forgive others even if they have not apologized or asked us to forgive; unconditional Strive for peace and justice Initiate forgiveness Jesus calls us to forgive others even if they have not apologized or asked us to forgive; unconditional Strive for peace and justice Slide 37 Answer the Call to Perfection The Rich Young Man (Mt. 19:16-30) Keep the Commandments What do I still lack? Be perfect Who can be saved? Not possible for humans, requires grace of God We should never had had these prodigies of conversion and marvelous holiness if they had not changed the flames of human passion into volcanoes of immense love Conversion; requires grace of God to complete the whole turn. However, we must take the first step. The Rich Young Man (Mt. 19:16-30) Keep the Commandments What do I still lack? Be perfect Who can be saved? Not possible for humans, requires grace of God We should never had had these prodigies of conversion and marvelous holiness if they had not changed the flames of human passion into volcanoes of immense love Conversion; requires grace of God to complete the whole turn. However, we must take the first step.