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The Misunderstood Sacrament of Confession – Penance

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The Misunderstood Sacrament of Confession – Penance The Misunderstood Sacrament of Confession – Penance – Reconciliation William Shakespeare famously said, “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” This is a profound reminder to not get so bound in naming a thing that we miss its beauty and its essence. For many Catholics, it may be helpful to apply this wisdom to the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. We may not know what to call this sacrament – confession, penance, reconciliation: more importantly, we may not understand that this is a beautiful sacrament of healing which gives us God’s mercy and forgiveness. Confession, Penance and Penance sacrament that reorients our life to God Reconciliation are movements of the We are called to look at our daily ac- with all our heart through the sacrament itself. Taking a closer look tions in light of Christ’s call to holiness. forgiveness of our sins. at each of these aspects may help free A penitential spirit allows us to look us from our misunderstanding or fears with humility at our lives and expresses Reconciliation about the sacrament. repentance for having done something Throughout his ministry Jesus, not that we know is contrary to our good only forgave sins, but he reintegrated and the good of others. forgiven sinners into the community “One who is in line to of the People of God. confess himself feels all Sacramental penance, however, can these things - even shame only be fully understood in its relation- In sacramental reconciliation, the - but then, when he finishes ship to conversion. The penance given harmony of our relationships with to us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation confessing, he leaves free, God, others and self are all restored. is not imposed as an outward act, but a Favorable circumstances for growth great, beautiful, forgiven, call to conversion to Christ and his way in the Christian life are reestablished. [...] happy. And this is the of life. The penance we offer is a visible beauty of Confession.” expression of the gratitude, peace and To return to communion with God Pope Francis interior conversion we receive in the after having lost it through sin is a grace from God who desires the sal- Why confess your sins to vation of all. This is a most precious The confession of sins… gift that is generously offered to us a priest? in the sacrament of penance and To celebrate the sacrament, we must take The Church uses the inventory of our actions, and inaction. reconciliation. guidance of Scripture The interior process of examining our consciences is an essential element of in seeking and offering Whatever we call this sacrament, it is a the sacrament which springs first from a forgiveness: “confess your gift that begins and end with God’s love spirit of contrition – sorrow in our souls sins to one another and for us. for sins committed accompanied by a pray for one another, that resolution to not sin again. you may be healed” (James Sub Rosa 5:16) and the appearance (Latin for “under the rose”) This is hard work as we bring to light of Jesus to the apostles on In older churches you may see the those aspects of our lives that we know Easter: “Peace be with you. image of a rose over the door of a are sinful; however, it is the necessary As the Father sent me, so I confessional. The rose is a remind- first step to admit our faults and take send you…Whose sins you responsibility for them so that we can er of the absolute confidentiality forgive are forgiven them, be open to God’s mercy. of the sacrament. A priest cannot, and whose sins you retain by word or sign or by any manner are retained” whatever in any way, reveal what he (cf John 20:21-23). hears in a confession..
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