The Symbols and Rite of Reconciliation
The changes in Vatican II regarding this sacrament focus on our attitude toward sin and forgiveness rather than on striking external changes. But how we think about penance does affect how we approach the sacrament. Here is a list of some of the chief shifts of emphasis of the new rite of reconciliation:
- God is more interested in forgiving us than in listening to a grocery list of our shortcomings.
- God is love and desires us to be at peace. “Come back to me” beckons us to Christ’s healing forgiveness.
- Sin breaks down the goodness of the world. The “domino effect” pf our failures increase evil if we do not reform our sinful ways. The opportunity of “starting anew” provides us the peace of heart.
There are generally 3 ways to celebrate the gift of penance:
Individual Confession:
A prayerful reflection, the examination of conscience, prepares us for individual confession. We can choose to celebrate penance in the traditional confessional or face-to-face.
Communal Penance:
The celebration is held in a community setting whereby public prayer and individual confessions are combined. In essence, we witness a reconciling assembly. Prayer and reflection occurs before and after the individual confession.
General Absolution:
When individual confessions are impossible due to the shortage of priests, general absolution is allowed, bit its use is restricted to extraordinary, urgent situations.
Grace Through Penance
Our call to conversion of the heart is an ongoing, never-to-be-completed process. But “returning to God’s side” through this sacrament affords us His grace.
Yet, the sacramental graces of penance are only effective when we live in the spirit of forgiveness as we pray the Our Father – “Forgive us we forgive others”. Reconciliation needs to pervade every aspect of our life as we strive to bring peace and harmony in our encounters and relationships.
Article on Sacrament of Reconciliation edited from excerpts in “What You Should Know About the Sacraments” by Charlene Altemose, MSC, 2004.
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