The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

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The Sacrament of Penance and ReconciliationGod
is Rich in Mercy

• USCCA Chapter 18
• Sunday, January 31, 2021

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January 31, 2021

1. Sins committed after Baptism are forgiven in the
   Sacrament of Reconciliation.

1. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is also known as
   the Sacrament of Forgiveness, Penance, Confession
   and Conversion.
2. Divine mercy and conversion are constant themes
   in Scripture.
3. The Sacrament of Reconciliation makes Gods
   forgiveness available to us.

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January 31, 2021

1. The mission of healing and forgiveness was at the
   heart of the ministry of Jesus.

1. Jesus died on the Cross and rose from the dead
   to reconcile sinful people with God through the
   forgiveness of sins and the gift of new life with
   the Triune God. (USCCA p. 235)
2. Only God can forgive sins, but God uses the
   Church to be an instrument of His forgiveness.

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January 31, 2021

1. The mission of healing and forgiveness was at the
   heart of the ministry of Jesus.

1. Jesus instituted Sacramental Reconciliation in
   John 2021-23 with the Apostles. This continues
   today in the ministry of the bishop and priest.
2. In this Sacrament, the priest acts in the person
   of Christ, the Head of the Church.

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January 31, 2021

1. The mission of healing and forgiveness was at the
   heart of the ministry of Jesus.

1. If one is conscious of having committed a mortal
   sin, the Sacrament of Confession is necessary for
   reconciliation with the Church and reception of
   Holy Communion.

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January 31, 2021

1. Sin

1. Harms our relationship with God.
2. Damages our communion with the Church.
3. Is never a private or personal matter, but always
   weakens the Body of Christ.

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January 31, 2021

1. The celebration of the Sacrament of Penance
   includes

1. Contrition, sorrow for sin. This is an absolute
   necessity for the reception of this Sacrament.
   In order to help with this, the Church asks that
   we examine our conscience before participating in
   the sacrament.
2. Confession, in which our individual sins are
   confessed to the priest both in kind (type) and
   number. Oftentimes the priest will offer
   encouragement and advice.

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January 31, 2021

1. The celebration of the Sacrament of Penance
   includes

1. Praying an Act of Contrition, in which we express
   sorrow for our sins.
2. Receiving Absolution by the priest, in which
   Christ, through the priest, absolves us of our
   sins.
3. Doing Satisfaction (penance), in which we make
   amends for the wrong we have done by doing the
   penance prescribed by the priest.

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January 31, 2021

1. The effects of the Sacrament of Reconciliation
   are

1. Reconciliation with God.
2. Reconciliation with the Church, the family of God.

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January 31, 2021

1. It is recommended to go to the Sacrament of
   Reconciliation on a frequent basis, even if one
   is not conscious of having committed a mortal sin.

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January 31, 2021

1. Every sin has consequences that we endure here on
   earth, and these effects are referred to as
   temporal punishment. The Church recommends
   certain spiritual practices to remove some or all
   of these bad effects. This removal is either a
   partial indulgence or a plenary (full) indulgence
   (or pardon).

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For Discussion

1. How would you respond to someone who said that
   they did not need to confess their sins to a
   priest but to Jesus alone and directly? What
   Scripture passages would you refer to in order to
   support your opinion?
2. How would you respond to a person who said that
   they were too afraid to go to the Sacrament of
   Reconciliation? How would you help alleviate
   their fears?
3. Memorize the Act of Contrition on p. 247.