1. Reconciliation celebration and forgiveness

2. Reconciliation (or Penance) Begins with the acknowledgment of our sin.Begins with the acknowledgment of our sin. –Mortal sin Grave violation of grave violation of God’s LawGrave violation of grave violation of God’s Law –Venial sin A wrong that weakens our relation with GodA wrong that weakens our relation with God Unlike mortal sin, venial sin does not completely separate one from God.Unlike mortal sin, venial sin does not completely separate one from God.

3. Confession as a Ritual Confession is the sharing of one’s weakness (sins)Confession is the sharing of one’s weakness (sins) –Person must honestly face the sin that is with in him in order for the ritual to work. Priest’s jobPriest’s job –To listen and offer acceptance, guidance, and forgiveness.

4. Penance as Conversion Penance derived form the same roots as repent which means “to be sorry”.Penance derived form the same roots as repent which means “to be sorry”. –Refers to a conversion of heart –Indicates the sincerity of a person’s sorrow for sin.

5. Living the Paschal Mystery Pascal MysteryPascal Mystery –Lies in the heart of our existence and of the sacraments. –The moment from death to resurrection

6. Forgiven by God and the Whole Community ReconciliationReconciliation –Provides not only one-to-one level of forgiveness but also at a community level. PriestPriest –Represent god and the community

7. The Ritual of Reconciliation: Symbolic Actions and Words Three Forms of the RiteThree Forms of the Rite –A celebration for an individual –A communal celebration for penitents with individual confession and absolution –A communal celebration for several penitents with general confession and absolution AbsolutionAbsolution –release of penitents from guilt of their sins

8. Reconciliation in Words and Symbols GreetingGreeting –Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son be with you in truth and love AmenAmen The Word of GodThe Word of God –(Ezekiel 11:19-20) Confession of sinsConfession of sins –I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers, that I have sinned through my own fault…

9. Reconciliation in Words and Symbols Penitent’s Prayer of ContributionPenitent’s Prayer of Contribution –My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart… AbsolutionAbsolution –God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son …Amen Praise of God and DismissalPraise of God and Dismissal –Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His mercy endures for ever. The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace

10. Reconciliation’s History Jesus was a healer.Jesus was a healer. –Church has tried in various ways to be a sacrament of healing forgiveness, in imitation of Jesus the healer.

11. Reconciliation’s History Reconciliation for Major Sins: Available Only Once.Reconciliation for Major Sins: Available Only Once. –Excommunication as a Break from the Community –A “second Baptism” for Re-entry

12. Private Confession: Reconciliation with a Personal Touch Early Christians never went through the official process of Penance.Early Christians never went through the official process of Penance. –Found forgiveness of sins by sharing in the Mass. Irish MonksIrish Monks –Would confess their sins to each other, the monk that was listening would pray for the forgiveness of God.

13. Confession as Confidential Seal of confessionSeal of confession –The priest must never reveal what has been said to him in a confession.

14. A Needed Symbol of God’s Forgiveness Other sacraments in which forgiveness takes place:Other sacraments in which forgiveness takes place: –Baptism –Eucharist Reconciliation does happen in every day life apart from the official rite.Reconciliation does happen in every day life apart from the official rite.