Sacrament of Reconciliation

1. Sacrament of Reconciliation

2. How We Movefrom Alienation to Reconciliation Stage 1: Alienation from Self, God, Family or Community • Through Ignorance • or Blindness Stage 2: Awareness Other names for this: • Raising of Conscience • Coming to our Senses • Waking up • Hitting Bottom • “ I have sinned:” Sacramental Moment

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

4. From Alienation to Reconciliation Stage 5: Reconciliation with Self, God, Family, or Community The Prodigal Son, Rembrandt

5. From Alienation to Reconciliation The Rite 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. SIN What is a sin? • Any action that alienates or cuts us off from ourselves, others, and God. Two main types of sin • Mortal sin • Venial sin

7. TYPES OF SIN • Mortal (or Serious) sin • A very grave or serious violation of God’s law done willingly and knowingly. • Cuts us off completely from God. • Can only be forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconciliation

8. TYPES OF SIN • 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 contrition for one’s sins. • Reconciliation, Anointing, Eucharist, all have the power to forgive a venial sin

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 beaten 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. • Prophets make us aware of our social sin • Biblical examples: • The prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures; John the Baptist; Jesus—all openly challenged the social sins of their leaders • Modern Examples: • Sins in the economy (homelessness, Wall Street greed) • Sins against humanity (genocide, racism, Katrina victims) • MLK Jr., Elie Wiesel—modern-day prophets

11. TYPES OF SIN Social Sin in the Church • Sexual Abuse, cover-up of abuse • Anti-Semitism, Anti-Islamism Social Sin at SMCHS? • Bullying? • Racism, Homophobia, Classism, Sexism, Cheating?

12. The Seven Deadly Sins • Originally a list of mortal sins • Better understood today 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!)