The Sacrament of Penance

“It is a place where I allow Jesus to take away from me everything that divides and destroys”

“Only to confession can we go as sinners with sin and come out as sinner without sin”

Mother Teresa reflection on confession

(Van Dyk, 2005, p. 45)

Isaiah 1:18The Lord says, “Now, let’s settle the matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool.”

Pauls second Epistle to the

Corinthians

“All this is done by God, who through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also. Our message is that God was making all mankind his friends through Christ. God did not keep an account of their sins, and he has given us the message which tells how he makes them his friends. Here we are, then, speaking for Christ, as though God himself were making an appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf: let God change you from enemies into his friends!” (2Corinthians 5: 18 -20).

“As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” After saying this he breathed on them and said:“Receive the Holy Spirit, for those sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins retain they are retained (John 20: 21-23).”

James 5: 16-17

“So then, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you will be healed. The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect.”

Jesus taught forgiveness and

reconciliation

Jesus spent much of his life preaching the message of forgiveness.

John 20:21-23

“As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.”After saying this he breathed on them and said:“Receive the Holy Spirit, for those sins you forgive, they are forgiven; for those whose sins retain they are retained.”

Paul writes to the Galatians 5:26,

6:1-2

“Since the Spirit is our life, let us be directed by the Spirit. We must stop being conceited, provocative and envious. If one of you misbehaves, the more spiritual of you who set him right should do so in a spirit of gentleness, not forgetting that you may be tempted yourselves. You should carry each other’s troubles and fulfil the law of Christ.”

Ceremony of Forgiveness Confession to a Bishop Only allowed once in a lifetime Penance was long and severe

Fourth CenturyAfter receiving the sacrament

No marriage was allowed Must remain celibate Could not become a priest Could not join the army

Most waited until close to death to receive the sacrament (McBrien, 1995)

St Augustine urged not to receive the sacrament!

The Middle AgesIrish Monks and nuns began to offer guidance.Penance was formulated by a list of expectations for particular sins.

Murder - it was expected that the person would have three years exile on bread and water, plus three more years as a servant to the victim’s family. (Majellan Publications (2004)

The Late Middle AgesThe Sacrament of Penance consisted of

Contrition (sorrow)

Confession

Satisfaction

Prayers were said for penance but money was also offered.

Second Vatican Council

Encouraged Christians to examine attitudes to • Sin • Forgiveness • Reconciliation• Repentance

(De Gruchy, 2003)

Current Ritual Structure

According to Horan (2006, p. 18) “the main parts of the sacrament of penance are • Confession

• Contrition

• Absolution

• Penance.”

There are four different rites.The First RiteThis takes place with the penitent and priest in a one-on-one situation (Thiron, 2004).

“Bless me Father for I have sinned.”

The Second Rite

Mixture of individual features

Includes individual confession

The Third Rite

Not commonly used

• General Confession

• General absolution

The Fourth RiteThis form is only used at the time of immanent death.

The main parts of the sacramentReflectionThe sacrament begins with a time of reflection, a time of questioning.

Examination of ConscienceIt is not necessary to try and remember every sin committed.

Remember the story of the “Prodigal Son”

ConfessionThis is a personal time.Often begins with informing priest how long it has been since your last confession.

Followed by a confessing of sins.

ForgivenessThe priest will give penance, and speaks Christ’s words of forgiveness.

Act of Contrition

O my God I am very sorry that I have sinned against you because you are so good and with your help I will not sin again.

Singer-Towns, Claussen & VanBrandwijk (2003, p. 380)

AbsolutionGod, the Father of mercies,through the death and the resurrection of his Sonhas reconciled the world to himselfand sent the Holy Spirit among usfor the forgiveness of sins;through the ministry of the Churchmay God give you pardon and peace,and I absolve you from your sinsin the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.(The John Paul II Centre, 2012)

Current Theological Underpinnings

Current theology is reflected by the parable of the Prodigal Son (LK 15:11-32)

Jesus taught forgiveness for all.

As the father celebrated the return of his son so too is the sacrament of penance a celebration of peace, justice and reconciliation.

(Degidio, 2000)

“In the sacrament of Penance the faithful, confessing their sins to a legitimate minister, being sorry for them, and at the same time proposing to reform, obtain from God forgiveness of sin committed after baptism through the absolution imparted by the same minister, and they likewise are reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by sinning.” (Canon 959)

Venial Sin is that which is not serious but never the less is a failure to love God and others.

(O’Connor, 1997)

Mortal Sin is that which turns us away from God, it is through the sacrament of penance that the turning away from God can be restored if true sorrow is present.(O’Connor, 1997)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church provides a reference point for all of the Catholic doctrine with regards to faith and morals.

The (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1423) points out that the sacrament is known by many names “it is called the sacrament of conversion because it makes sacramentally present Jesus’ call to conversion.”

It is also known as the “sacrament of Penance, since it consecrates the Christian sinner’s personal and ecclesial steps of conversion, penance, and satisfaction (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1423).”

At the same time, the Catechism reminds us that "it is called the sacrament of forgiveness, since by the priest's sacramental absolution God grants the penitent 'pardon and peace (1424).”

Finally, it is also called the sacrament of Reconciliation because it reconciles sinners to God and then to each other (1424).

Contemporary ViewIt is what comes from the heart that makes us sinful.

It’s not allabout following rules and laws.

Responsibility has now replaced obligation and theology and philosophy supports a relational model of moral life.

(Coffey, 2001)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms that, just as the least of our acts done in charity has some benefit for all, so every sin causes some harm.

One of the most obvious changes in a contemporary approach to the sacrament of penance is the emphasis given to how sin affects the quality of life and love in our relationships.

(Gula, 1996)

We are able to heal the brokenness in our lives with this special sacrament of forgiveness and healing.