The Sacrament of Reconciliation

Lesson 6: Jesus Continues to Forgive us Through the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Unit 3 Second Quarter

Video Analysis: The Prodigal Son

Questions for Discussion

What can you say about the three characters in the video?
To whom can you identify yourself? Why? Did the Father do the right thing in forgiving His son? What can you say about the elder brother?

WE CONNECT
Sin weakens our relationship with and others. The story of the Prodigal Son reminds us that even when we sin, others are very willing to forgive us.
So much so, God is always merciful to forgive us. This is done through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

I. What is the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Why is it important to receive Reconciliation?

What is the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

Jesus continues to forgive our sins through the Church. 2,000 years ago, He instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation when He gave His apostles the power to forgive sins(CFC 1850/ R Pen.2).

Why is it important to receive Reconciliation?

Through this sacrament, Jesus heals us from our spiritual sickness, sins but we should be truly repentant and humble of admitting them. He leads us back to the Father, and we receive His forgiveness and love. We do this to build again our relationship with God, the Church, and with others as well.

II. EFFECTS OF THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

What happens to us after we receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

We receive Gods forgiveness. Our sins are forgiven through the priest in the name of Christ and the Church and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

What happens to us after we receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation? We are reconciled with God.

We are reconciled with the Church.

What happens to us after we receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

We are strengthened to live the Ten Commandments and teachings of Jesus. We promise not to sin anymore.

A REVIEW OF HOW WE CELEBRATE THE SACRAMENTS OF RECONCILIATION

STEPS IN RECEVING THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

1. EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE We ask the Holy Spirit to help us think about how well we are doing Gods loving will. We have to recall our sins including the time we committed them. 2. CONTRITION

We tell God that we are sorry for our sins. We promise to avoid sin and to make up to others for hurting them.

STEPS IN RECEVING THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

What does it take to be perfectly sorry? Humility to accept our faults Hope to be forgiven

Honesty that we intend to avoid sins in the future

3. CONFESSION We confess our sins to God by telling them to the priest in private. We make sure that we confess all our sins. He will never tell anyone of our sins. He also advises us how to live each day as Jesus wants us.

STEPS IN RECEVING THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

4. PENANCE

A prayer or a good deed that helps make up for the hurt caused by our sins. We do the penance to show that we are sorry and we want to change. 5. ABSOLUTION
Our sins are absolved and forgiven. In the name of Christ and the Church, through the power of the Holy Spirit, a priest grants the forgiveness of our sins. This forgiveness reconciles us to the Church and to God.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a powerful and effective sign through which Jesus shares with us Gods mercy and forgiveness. We can celebrate Reconciliation individually or communally. In both rites, we meet with a priest privately.

WHY DO WE CONFESS TO A PRIEST? WHY NOT CONFESS DIRECTLY TO GOD?

This confess-to-God directly attitude springs from a poor understanding of sin and the sacrament of Reconciliation.
This attitude, first of all, does not recognize that sin offends not just God but other people as well. Like a small wound that affects the whole body, sin affects the whole Body of Christ, the Church.

This confess-to-God directly attitude springs from a poor understanding of sin and the sacrament of Reconciliation.
This attitude, first of all, does not recognize that sin offends not just God but other people as well. Like a small wound that affects the whole body, sin affects the whole Body of Christ, the Church.

 Secondly, this attitude does not recognize the role of the priest as the representative of both Christ and the Church. Since our sins offend both God and our neighbors, we have to ask for forgiveness from both, too.
Thirdly, confessing to God directly is simply praying an act of contrition. It is not a sacrament. It is not what Christ wanted and instituted. (read John 20:21-23)

Jesus gave the apostles and their successors the bishops and priests of today, the power to forgive sins. The sacrament of Reconciliation is Christs and the Churchs way of leading us out of our own self-centeredness and pride.

WE RESPOND: WHAT DOES JESUS CALL US TO DO IN THIS LESSON?

In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are reconciled with God and one another. We are forgiven. We are also called to forgive others. Reconciliation with God and others leads to peace and reconciliation in the world. We are able to stand up for what is right and just.

Short Reflection/ Activity (To be done in CLE notebook)

What can I do to make up for the wrong things I have done?
How can you respond to Jesus command, Go and sin no more? Prayer writing Write a short prayer asking Gods forgiveness.

Closure/ Reflection:
Why is it important to confess our sins?
What happens to our relationship with God and others after we confess our sins? Why should we make up for the wrong things that we have done?

ACT OF CONTRITION
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend with your help, to do penance, to sin no more and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Amen.