Reconciliation

Penance and Reconciliation: the Sacrament through which sins committed after Baptism can be forgiven and reconciliation with God and community effected (CCC, 1422, 1425, 1428, 1446).

• 1. Understanding the Sacrament
  • a. Scriptural basis: Jesus gives the Eleven the power to forgive sins (Jn. 20:22-23) Examples of Forgiveness (Mk 2:1-12; Lk 15: 11-32; Jn 8:1-11) (CCC, 1444)
  • b. Historical development (CCC, 1425-1429) (CCC, 1447-1448)
  • c. Theology (CCC, 1440-1449)
• 2. Celebration
• 3. Essential elements
• 4. Effects
• 5. Requirements for reception
  • a. Contrition, both perfect and imperfect (CCC, 1451-1454)
  • b. Confession of grave or mortal sins (CCC, 1455-1457)
  • c. Confession of venial sins recommended (CCC, 1458)
• 6. Minister of the Sacrament (CCC, 1461-1466)
  • a. the seal of Confession (CCC, 1467)
• 7. Implications: (CCC 1468-1670)
  • a. Thanksgiving and Amendment (CCC, 1459, 1451)
  • b. Reconciliation with the Church community (CCC, 1422, 1443-1445, 1469)
• 8. Appropriating and living this Sacrament (CCC, 1451, 1468-1469, 1470)
  • a. Prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of God’s forgiveness of sins
  • b. Reflective prayer on contrition in its fullest sense: sorrow for our sins with the resolution to avoid future sin (CCC, 1452)