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Penance and Reconciliation

Reconciled to Right Relationship, Called to Heal and Restore

The new life in that Sin damages our relationship source of other sins” ( John Paul II, begins in may be with God and neighbor. Sollicitudo Rei Socialis [On Social Concern], weakened or lost through no. 36). For example, widespread poverty, In the , teaches that love of God sin. Sin ruptures not only our discrimination, denial of basic rights, and and love of neighbor are intimately connected relationship with God but also violence result from many peoples’ actions (Mt 22:38-39; Mk 12:29-31). When we with our brothers and sisters. (or failures to act) because of greed, racism, sin against those in need by failing to act By the nourishing light of selfishness, or indifference Reconciliatio( et compassionately toward them, we ignore the Holy , we are able Paenitentia, nos. 2, 16). We are all called Christ himself (Mt 25:31-46). In the words of to prepare for the to consider how we contribute to structures Pope Benedict XVI, “Closing our eyes to our of by examining of sin in our personal, economic, and public neighbor also blinds us to God” (Deus Caritas our consciences to identify choices. For example, do we take into Est [God Is Love], no. 16). Sin ruptures our those ways in which we are account the treatment of workers when we relationship with God and also with other not in right relationship with make purchases? How do our consumption members of the (Catechism of God and with others. This choices contribute to environmental the [CCC], no. 1440). Take examination also challenges degradation? Are we aware and informed? a moment to consider ways that you have us to recognize our own Do we take the time to educate ourselves broken any of the : Are participation in the “structures about issues that affect the community and there any false “gods” (e.g., material things, of sin” that degrade others’ advocate on behalf of those who are poor pleasure, etc.) that you place above God lives and dignity. and vulnerable? and other people? Have you treated family Through the Sacrament members or others with disrespect? Have you of Penance, God offers We are called to examine our lied, gossiped, cheated, or stolen? mercy and . In consciences and admit our failings. response to this gift, we are Sin is never an individual affair. The challenges us to called to become vehicles examine our hearts inwardly and then express of Christ’s love, making Sin damages our relationships with others outwardly the ways we have failed to love amends and restoring justice and all of creation. Thus, sin is never a purely God and neighbor—through both personal and the bonds that have individual affair and has social dimensions sin and social sin. been broken. Healed and (Pope Benedict XVI, Examining our consciences teaches us forgiven, we are sent to [Sacrament of Charity], no. 20; Pope how to “look squarely at our life” to see how work for peace, justice, John Paul II, Reconciliatio et Paenitentia well we are living the (Pope Benedict and love in our communities [Reconciliation and Penance], no. 15). XVI, Address to participants in the Course on and world. the Internal Forum organized by the Tribunal Sin becomes manifest in of the , March 25, unjust structures. 2011). Only in recognizing our failings can The collective actions (or failures to act) of our hearts be converted to God so that we individuals create “structures of sin,” which can receive his forgiveness and allow his “grow stronger, spread, and become the grace to heal us and our relationships.

Sacraments and Social Mission We receive God’s that threaten human life and dignity. By We are called to be forgivers forgiveness and mercy. making amends and working to build and peacemakers. a more just community, we can repair The Sacrament of Penance allows us Having received the undeserved gift of the damage and also restore our own to receive forgiveness of sins and be forgiveness, we are called to extend the spiritual health. reconciled with God, self, the Church same forgiveness and mercy to others. family, and the human family—restoring We take up the task of being instruments The whole Church our broken communion. Through of reconciliation in our communities community plays a Penance, we return to right relationships and world, working for peace, justice, role in reconciliation. (Sacramentum Caritatis, no. 20). and love. We do not engage in the act of We work to repair the reconciliation alone. While the Copyright © 2013, United States Conference of harm we have done. is the of the Sacrament of Catholic , Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to duplicate this work without Penance, the whole Church community adaptation for non-commercial use. Reconciliation absolves us of our sin, but participates in the work of reconciliation it does not repair the damage that was (Ordo Paenitentiae). When we gather caused. We must do what is possible to each Sunday, we call to mind our sins repair the harm. The Catechism provides and intercede for one another. We hear these examples: return stolen goods, the Word of God, which challenges us restore the reputation of someone to reflect gospel values in our lives and slandered, and pay compensation for relationships. As the Body of Christ, injuries (no. 1459). We must work to we also challenge one another to live repair the relationships with God and lives of holiness, justice, and love. The our neighbors that sin has impaired. Church is an instrument of conversion, We must also consider how we can calling all its members to love and work to transform the structures of sin reconciliation with God and neighbor.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

Take a moment to reflect on how sin has damaged • Have I stood up to protect the dignity of others your relationship with others. when it is being threatened? • Am I aware of problems facing my local • What false “gods” do I place above God and community and involved in efforts to people? find solutions? • After leaving , do I continue to glorify God • Do my purchasing choices take into account the by the actions in my life? well-being of those producing what I buy? • How have I failed to love others in my family, • How do I protect and care for God’s creation? workplace, or community? Are there ways I could reduce consumption? • Do I hold any views that are prejudiced or biased or that perpetuate stereotypes? Adapted from Questions to Examine Conscience in • Have I responded to the needs of the poor and the Light of in the “Resources those whose rights are unfulfilled? and Tools” section at www.usccb.org/jphd. • Do my personal, economic, and public choices reflect a genuine concern for others and the common good?

Learn about the other ! Visit “Resources and Tools” at www.usccb.org/jphd.