Sacrament of Reconciliation

1. Sacrament of Reconciliation

2. From Alienation to Reconciliation Stage 1: Alienation from Self/God/Family/Community • Ignorance • Blindness Stage 2: Awareness • Raising of Conscience • Coming to Senses • Waking up • Hitting Bottom • “ I have sinned:” Sacramental Moment

3. WHO SAYS I’M A SINNER? • NO ONE has the right to call you a sinner or accuse you of committing a sin. • It is a PERSONAL realization, a grace, a sacramental moment. • You can be told that what you did was wrong or illegal or immoral, but whether or not it is a sin is between you and God. Jonathan Edwards, author of the famous Puritan sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”

4. From Alienation to Reconciliation Stage 3: Conversion • “turning around” • change of heart • Metanoia “think again” Stage 4: Contrition • Sorrow for doing wrong

5. From Alienation to Reconciliation The Ritual of Reconciliation • Confession—words acknowledging sinfulness • Act of Contrition—words expressing sorrow • Penance— action demonstrating repentance of the sinner • Absolution—pronouncement of God’s forgiveness of sins

6. From Alienation to Reconciliation Stage 5: Reconciliation with Self/God/Family/Community Rodrigo’s reconciliation with the Guarani Indian tribe in The Mission The Prodigal Son, Rembrandt

7. SIN • What is sin? An action that alienates us from ourselves, others, and God. • What is serious sin? • A very grave or serious violation of God’s law done willingly and knowingly. • Also known as “mortal sin.” • Cuts us off completely from God. • Can only be forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconciliation

8. TYPES OF SIN • What is venial sin? • Venial means “forgivable.” • A less serious offense • Weakens our relationship with God, but does not cut us off. • Can be forgiven through any Sacrament, as long as there is true repentance. • Reconciliation • Eucharist

9. TYPES OF SIN Sin of Commission vs. Sin of Omission • A sin of commission is doing something sinful; an action. • A sin of omission is NOT doing something you could have done, usually for someone’s good; a lack of action. • Biblical example: the two men who passed by the hurt man in the story of Good Samaritan. • Modern example: passing by a homeless person without offering to help in some way.

10. TYPES OF SIN Personal Sin vs. Social Sin • Personal sin is an individual act of wrongdoing • Social sin is the wrongdoing of an entire community, usually against the common good. • Biblical examples: • The prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures; John the Baptist; Jesus • Modern Examples: • The economy (why are there homeless?); justice system (why do we kill people who kill?”); human rights (Amnesty International) • “If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.”

11. The Seven Deadly Sins • Originally a list of mortal sins • Not sins so much as underlying attitudes that can lead to sinful behavior if left unchecked • Lust: excessive sexual thoughts • Gluttony: overindulgence to the point of waste • Greed: excessive acquisition of wealth • Sloth: excessive indifference, failure to act • Wrath: uncontrolled anger or hatred • Envy: excessive desire of what another has • Pride: excessive love of self (considered the worst of the Seven Deadly Sins because it leads to the others!)