Confession: Sacrament of Healing and Reconciliation Catholic Digital Resources presents . . . Confession: Sacrament of Healing and Reconciliation © 2008 Terry Modica, Catholic Digital Resources – catholicdr.com (c) 2008 Catholic Digital Resources catholicdr.com

What are the various names for Confession? Confession: Sacrament of Healing and Reconciliation What are the various names for Confession? Sacrament of Forgiveness Sacrament of Reconciliation Sacrament of Conversion Sacrament of Penance

Why do we need this Sacrament? We all sin. Confession: Sacrament of Healing and Reconciliation Why do we need this Sacrament? We all sin. Every time we do anything unloving, we sin. No one perfectly obeys all the commandments of God. Venial sins are everyday faults. They hurt others. They are contrary to the ways of God. Mortal sins are grave faults. They are conscious decisions to reject the ways of God’s Kingdom. This rejection separates us from God, And it separates us from heaven.

How do you feel when you sin? Confession: Sacrament of Healing and Reconciliation How do you feel when you sin? We don’t like to admit our sins, because we feel guilty. Thinking about our sins makes us dislike ourselves. We wonder how others – or God – could love us. We feel separated from God. We wonder: Father, where have you gone? Our Father God always loves us, even though we are sinners. He loves us so much that he sent Jesus to help us. When Jesus died on the cross, he took our sins with him, taking upon himself the punishment we deserve… including the sins we commit 2000 years later! Silently think of a guilt you’d like to get rid of as you meditate on what Jesus felt as he carried your guilt to the cross … Listen to him in the following prayer song.

Penance is a Christian Virtue as well as a Sacrament. Confession: Sacrament of Healing and Reconciliation Penance is a Christian Virtue as well as a Sacrament. We are called to a life of holiness. This is possible because Jesus gives us his Holy Spirit during our baptisms. Jesus taught us how to be holy Q: how? By his teachings By his example Penance means conversion: making an act of repentance, which involves changing one's behavior to avoid the same sin in the future.

Why do we need a Sacrament of Reconciliation after Baptism? Confession: Sacrament of Healing and Reconciliation Why do we need a Sacrament of Reconciliation after Baptism? Baptism washes away all sins. We emerge from the waters of baptism as a new creation: We are children of God. We are united to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Our new life is weakened by sin. We can even lose our new life by committing mortal sin. On-going conversion is always necessary. In RCIA: Those receiving baptism will make their first confession after the Initiation Rites. Those who are already baptized will make their first confession shortly before the Initiation Rites.

Is the Sacrament of Reconciliation scriptural? Confession: Sacrament of Healing and Reconciliation Is the Sacrament of Reconciliation scriptural? Read John 20:21-23 Jesus was speaking to the men he had chosen to become the first leaders (bishops) of the Church. Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Paul is speaking of the ministry (Sacrament) of reconciliation. Read 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 Paul is reminding the baptized of the need to be reconciled with God… through Jesus who died for our sins though he was sinless… so that we can become righteous (holy) again.

1. Before Confession, 2. In the Confessional, Confession: Sacrament of Healing and Reconciliation What happens during the Sacrament of Reconciliation? 1. Before Confession, we examine our consciences. 2. In the Confessional, Jesus comes to us in the priest. Because of the priest's ordination into the priesthood of Christ, Jesus is present in the priest. This is true when the priest is providing any sacrament, even if the priest is an unrepentant sinner. This gift is called “in persona Christi” (the priest is there "in the person of Christ")

Confession: Sacrament of Healing and Reconciliation What happens during the Sacrament of Reconciliation? 5. The priest will give you a penance, which you will do after you leave the confessional as an act of making amends. It might be a prayer, or a scripture to read, or a good deed to the person you hurt, or an activity that will help you know that you are loved by God. Note: Anyone who is uncomfortable being in the small confessional with the priest may opt for a quiet corner elsewhere in the church or may set up an appointment to meet him in his office.

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The effects of the Sacrament of Reconciliation Confession: Sacrament of Healing and Reconciliation The effects of the Sacrament of Reconciliation You are now reconciled with God (you are reunited to him). God gives you a supernatural gift of grace to help you avoid sin in the future. You are reconciled with the Church and the whole family of God. If you confessed a mortal sin, you are free from eternal punishment. You are once again a new creation (i.e., renewed). You will experience peace and serenity of conscience, and consolation in your spirit. You will receive an increase in spiritual strength for the battle against evil.

The spiritual benefits of sincere, frequent confession Confession: Sacrament of Healing and Reconciliation The spiritual benefits of sincere, frequent confession Christ’s love and mercy become easier to feel. You enjoy growing in self-knowledge. Vice is replaced by virtue. Habits of sin are replaced by greater love. Receiving Jesus in the Holy Eucharist becomes more fruitful. Your desire to avoid sin is deepened. Holiness becomes a normal way of life.

Questions? And thus you will experience… Confession: Sacrament of Healing and Reconciliation And thus you will experience… forgiveness from God and the whole Church reconciliation with God conversion in your heart penance to replace the sin Questions?