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Erin_Marie
Guest
How do I explain the Sacrament of Reconciliation to my mother (a protestant)? I tried to tell her what it feels like, but I think I need to take a more fact-based approach.
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IoA
Guest
I’ll leave the specific apologetical issues to others, but I’ve been thinking a lot about reconcilliation lately and thought I’d share it.
I think we have the Sacrament in the first place as a way to be physically assured - through direct experience - that our sins are forgiven. For so many other denominations, I think it must be difficult. You commit a sin and are sorry for it, but how do you know you’re forgiven? I’ve never walked out of the confessional feeling anything but forgiveness and a fresh start.
I think we have the Sacrament in the first place as a way to be physically assured - through direct experience - that our sins are forgiven. For so many other denominations, I think it must be difficult. You commit a sin and are sorry for it, but how do you know you’re forgiven? I’ve never walked out of the confessional feeling anything but forgiveness and a fresh start.
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Erin_Marie
Guest
I agree with you on that. When I leave Confession I get this wonderful feeling of lightness. I have more bounce to my step, and I get into a good mood. 
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JoaoMachado
Guest
I am not an “offical apologist” but if a non-Catholic believed that the New Testament was consealed in the OT and the OT was revealed in the NT, then I would use this augument.
Matthew 8:3-4 KJVA
(3) And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
(4) And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Notice Jesus sends the now Clean leper to the Priest to show himself to him. The Levites were the choosen priests of the OT, under the Law, the Priests had the power to deem one clean or unclean by the Laws set in Leviticus, thus allowing those they deemed Clean back into the communion with Israel. Of course Jesus could have just said, hey, you are Clean, go and be merry, but Jesus followed the Law perfectly, that is why He sent the cured leper to the Priest.
Now in the New Covenant, Christ gave the Apostles the ability to Bind and Loose, (see the connection) and the Apostles are the start of the New Priesthood, after all,Christ is the High Priest is He not? If Christ is the High Priest, then the Apostles are His Priests, and the new Priesthood.*
John 13:5 KJVA
(5) After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.*
By the washing of the feet of his Apostles, Christ instituded the Priesthood, and this Priesthood has been given the Power Loosen our sins and leave them behind on this earth, so that we can enter into full Comunion with Christ in His eternal Kingdom.
But I could be wrong? I was wrong once, before I got Married, now I am just wrong all the time…
Joao
Matthew 8:3-4 KJVA
(3) And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
(4) And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Notice Jesus sends the now Clean leper to the Priest to show himself to him. The Levites were the choosen priests of the OT, under the Law, the Priests had the power to deem one clean or unclean by the Laws set in Leviticus, thus allowing those they deemed Clean back into the communion with Israel. Of course Jesus could have just said, hey, you are Clean, go and be merry, but Jesus followed the Law perfectly, that is why He sent the cured leper to the Priest.
Now in the New Covenant, Christ gave the Apostles the ability to Bind and Loose, (see the connection) and the Apostles are the start of the New Priesthood, after all,Christ is the High Priest is He not? If Christ is the High Priest, then the Apostles are His Priests, and the new Priesthood.*
John 13:5 KJVA
(5) After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.*
By the washing of the feet of his Apostles, Christ instituded the Priesthood, and this Priesthood has been given the Power Loosen our sins and leave them behind on this earth, so that we can enter into full Comunion with Christ in His eternal Kingdom.
But I could be wrong? I was wrong once, before I got Married, now I am just wrong all the time…
Joao
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Erin_Marie
Guest
Thank you for your thoughts, Joao. 
I just read the tract on Confession, and found this: "After his resurrection, Jesus passed on his mission to forgive sins to his ministers, telling them, “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. . . . Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained”(John 20:21-23) ".
My mom talks about a passage that says if you ask Jesus to forgive you, He will. She says her sins are between her and God, and that no priest can judge another persons sins.
It frustrates me, because sometimes she asks questions about my faith, and I have a hard time answering them.
I just read the tract on Confession, and found this: "After his resurrection, Jesus passed on his mission to forgive sins to his ministers, telling them, “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. . . . Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained”(John 20:21-23) ".
My mom talks about a passage that says if you ask Jesus to forgive you, He will. She says her sins are between her and God, and that no priest can judge another persons sins.
It frustrates me, because sometimes she asks questions about my faith, and I have a hard time answering them.
F
funkyhorn
Guest
When we sin, we offend God. Some sins are small (venial) and don’t require a big formal apology. These small sins don’t endanger our relationship with God and therefore don’t affect our status as a “saved” person. Other sins are big (mortal) and do affect our status as a “saved” person (see 1 John 5:16-17). These big sins require a formal apology. That, in a sense, is what the Sacrament of Reconciliation is for.
Now, ideally, you would have perfect contrition for your mortal sins. Perfect contrition is detesting (hating) yours sins because of their evil nature and because they have offended God…Perfect contrition is intrinsic.
However, perfect contrition is hard to come by. Most of the time, especially with reoccuring sins, we have something that is called imperfect contrition, or attrition. This means that we are sorry for our sins because of the possibility of hell or temporal punishment. Attrition is extrinsic.
Now, in the case of having perfect contrition, you wouldn’t really need to go to confession to recieve forgiveness for your sins. Your intrinsic sorrow is enough to recieve the grace of God’s forgiveness. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “it is the clear teaching of the Church that perfect contrition justifies the sinner even without the Sacrament of Penance. If perfect contrition, then, were always necessary, why did Christ institute a particular sacrament, since justification would always be imparted independently of the sacramental ceremony? If attrition is sufficient for justification in the Sacrament of Penance, then there seems no reason to deny its sufficiency when there is question of remitting sin through baptism, for the reason given above will apply equally in this place.”
So, taking this into account, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is for recieving forgiveness for your sins even though you have imperfect contrition (attrition). However, this forgiveness is conditional upon your willingness to do your best to sin no more.
This covers why we NEED the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I think I’ve about hit the word limit for this post. I’ll continue to explain how it was instituted on another post…
Now, ideally, you would have perfect contrition for your mortal sins. Perfect contrition is detesting (hating) yours sins because of their evil nature and because they have offended God…Perfect contrition is intrinsic.
However, perfect contrition is hard to come by. Most of the time, especially with reoccuring sins, we have something that is called imperfect contrition, or attrition. This means that we are sorry for our sins because of the possibility of hell or temporal punishment. Attrition is extrinsic.
Now, in the case of having perfect contrition, you wouldn’t really need to go to confession to recieve forgiveness for your sins. Your intrinsic sorrow is enough to recieve the grace of God’s forgiveness. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “it is the clear teaching of the Church that perfect contrition justifies the sinner even without the Sacrament of Penance. If perfect contrition, then, were always necessary, why did Christ institute a particular sacrament, since justification would always be imparted independently of the sacramental ceremony? If attrition is sufficient for justification in the Sacrament of Penance, then there seems no reason to deny its sufficiency when there is question of remitting sin through baptism, for the reason given above will apply equally in this place.”
So, taking this into account, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is for recieving forgiveness for your sins even though you have imperfect contrition (attrition). However, this forgiveness is conditional upon your willingness to do your best to sin no more.
This covers why we NEED the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I think I’ve about hit the word limit for this post. I’ll continue to explain how it was instituted on another post…
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Todd_Easton
Guest
Confession is a sacrament of healing for spiritually sick Christians, Christians who have committed serious sin. Confession is very much like the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick described in James 5:14-16, but without the oil: “Is any among you sick? Let him call for the presbyters [a.k.a. priests] of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
Notice the common elements between Confession and Anointing of the Sick: priest, confession of sins, priest’s prayers, and sins forgiven.
This is quite in keeping with Jesus’ words to the Apostles, “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:21-23)
Notice the common elements between Confession and Anointing of the Sick: priest, confession of sins, priest’s prayers, and sins forgiven.
This is quite in keeping with Jesus’ words to the Apostles, “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:21-23)
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funkyhorn
Guest
Erin Marie:
Todd Easton gives some very good info on the “healing” aspect of confession. It helps to “cure” us of our sinfulness by making us accountable to someone on earth. The more you have to confess a sin, the less you will want to commit it. Trying to go “stright to God” doesn’t work most of the time. There’s no tangible accountability. Reconciliation is the only SURE way of knowing that you have recieved God’s forgiveness.
Whoops! Looks like you’ve already got the main points down. Just remember to try and be patient and understanding of your mom’s questions. There is a lot about the Catholic faith that is hard to understand. Also, try and see if your mom can actually come up with this Bible passage she’s talking about. It would help a lot in understanding where she’s coming from.Thank you for your thoughts, Joao.
I just read the tract on Confession, and found this: "After his resurrection, Jesus passed on his mission to forgive sins to his ministers, telling them, “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. . . . Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained”(John 20:21-23) ".
My mom talks about a passage that says if you ask Jesus to forgive you, He will. She says her sins are between her and God, and that no priest can judge another persons sins.
It frustrates me, because sometimes she asks questions about my faith, and I have a hard time answering them.
Todd Easton gives some very good info on the “healing” aspect of confession. It helps to “cure” us of our sinfulness by making us accountable to someone on earth. The more you have to confess a sin, the less you will want to commit it. Trying to go “stright to God” doesn’t work most of the time. There’s no tangible accountability. Reconciliation is the only SURE way of knowing that you have recieved God’s forgiveness.
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Erin_Marie
Guest
Funkyhorn,
I would love to hear how the sacrament was instituted. I do understand what you have already said, but I could never put it so eloquently out of my brain. :whacky:
Todd Easton,
I never thought of the parallel between the two sacraments. Thank you for pointing that out!
I’m glad at least that my mom is not “bashing” my faith. She was very understanding of my being led to the Church. I’m glad she is asking questions, I just wish I could answer them with more authority!
I would love to hear how the sacrament was instituted. I do understand what you have already said, but I could never put it so eloquently out of my brain. :whacky:
Todd Easton,
I never thought of the parallel between the two sacraments. Thank you for pointing that out!
I’m glad at least that my mom is not “bashing” my faith. She was very understanding of my being led to the Church. I’m glad she is asking questions, I just wish I could answer them with more authority!
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Authorkat
Guest
Erin Marie:
One of the main reasons we go to confession is to receive graces to help us avoid our sins in the future. We could just say we’re sorry as your mom says, and we would be forgiven, but we wouldn’t get the graces.
You might try explaining that we believe that the priest is acting for Christ. In other words, Christ speaks to us through the priest. St. Faustina writes about this in her Diary. You would need to explain apostolic succession, which others have already written about here. Most major issues do lead back to a question of authority.
One of the main reasons we go to confession is to receive graces to help us avoid our sins in the future. We could just say we’re sorry as your mom says, and we would be forgiven, but we wouldn’t get the graces.
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Pax
Guest
There is an OT prefiguring of confession in Lev 5:5 that is an excellent starting point because it shows the requirement that the penitent must confess the sin and bring a sin offering to the priest who would make atonement on the penitent’s behalf.
Also look at Matt 9:8 where after curing the invalid and forgiving his sins the crowd glorified God, who hd given the authority to forgive sin to “men.” Jesus also came with “all authority in heaven and on earth” and he told the apostles in John 20:21 “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
Combine these verses with the others in the previous posts, and you should be on your way. I would also recommend Scott Hahn’s book on confessional and its biblical roots.
Also look at Matt 9:8 where after curing the invalid and forgiving his sins the crowd glorified God, who hd given the authority to forgive sin to “men.” Jesus also came with “all authority in heaven and on earth” and he told the apostles in John 20:21 “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
Combine these verses with the others in the previous posts, and you should be on your way. I would also recommend Scott Hahn’s book on confessional and its biblical roots.
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Richard_Lamb
Guest
Which makes more sence going to a spichiatrist and apying him or her $100 an our to tell them their sins only to be told they are Ok and not have them forgiven or Going to the priest who stands in the person of Jesus telling him the same sins and being cleansed for them?
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kristalyn
Guest
A few thoughts from me:
Think of the man who feels bad about viewing images on the internet that are hurtful to his wife and his marriage. He feels bad about it in his heart, and promises to God to try to stop. Or, he confesses to a priest, who gets him the resources he needs to find support to stop his addiction. And the man knows, if he fails, he needs to confess again!!
I think the human interaction is so important!!!
(Besides!! the apostles were commissioned to forgive sins–not to tell people to talk to God in their head!!)
- Ask your mom (and ask yourself!) is it harder to say my sins OUT LOUD to someone else in the same room…or to say them in your head where no one else can hear you? :ehh:
- Plus, what good does it do you if all you do is apologize in your heart?( By the way, feeling sorry in your heart is a good thing!! Your mom probably really does feel bad for her sins in her heart, and really does want to tell God she’s sorry…we all should do that!) But if all you do is feel bad, and in your heart apologize, what good comes of that?
Think of the man who feels bad about viewing images on the internet that are hurtful to his wife and his marriage. He feels bad about it in his heart, and promises to God to try to stop. Or, he confesses to a priest, who gets him the resources he needs to find support to stop his addiction. And the man knows, if he fails, he needs to confess again!!
I think the human interaction is so important!!!
(Besides!! the apostles were commissioned to forgive sins–not to tell people to talk to God in their head!!)
- Finally, you should go to Catholicity.com and order Fr. Larry Richard’s tape on Confession. It’s EXCELLENT!! (All you cradle Catholics should listen to it too!!) It’s free!! They have quite a few really good tapes and CD’s on things like the mass, marriage and confession. Send them a donation to keep their ministry going!
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Salmon
Guest
Erin Marie:
ScriptureCatholic
Here is the section on the scriptural development of Reconciliation:
Sacrament of Confession and forgiveness of sins
Of course, Catholic Answers has assembles a most awesome collection of tracts on a variety of topics, including the sacraments:
Catholic Answers Awesome Tracts
In time, with practice, you will find it much easier to explain and defend your faith.
Peace in Christ…Salmon
An excellent websight to use in understanding and explaining the Catholic faith is:
ScriptureCatholic
Here is the section on the scriptural development of Reconciliation:
Sacrament of Confession and forgiveness of sins
Of course, Catholic Answers has assembles a most awesome collection of tracts on a variety of topics, including the sacraments:
Catholic Answers Awesome Tracts
In time, with practice, you will find it much easier to explain and defend your faith.
Peace in Christ…Salmon
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Mike_Rainville
Guest
As I understand it, Christ wants everyone in need to confess their sins in person. It’s not a priest in confession, but Christ Himself, who hears, discerns, advises, forgives and heals. He also sets the terms of restitution.
Is that unusual? Don’t wives expect their husbands to ask pardon in person, with the appropriate dispositions? :yup:
Reconciliation and Penance by John Paul II
Is that unusual? Don’t wives expect their husbands to ask pardon in person, with the appropriate dispositions? :yup:
Reconciliation and Penance by John Paul II
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LauraL
Guest
Was anybody else listening to today’s Gospel reading? Jesus, travelling up to Jerusalem for the last time, sends the 70 out in pairs to prepare towns for His upcoming visits. And He authorizes them to (among other things) forgive sins.
Now, the way I approach this with Protestant friends is to start with this one basic fact: Jesus authorized – not all Christians, but the Twelve and His specifically deputized representatives in Luke 10 to do a number of things in His Name. One of those things is the forgiveness of sins.
So our sacrament of Reconciliation has its roots in our doctrine of apostolic succession. And that’s why most Protestants rebel against Confession, because they don’t believe in that divine Succession.
We confess our sins to the Priest – who is not only authorized by virtue of that apostolic succession to forgive our sins, he also becomes in the Sacrament, Christ for us, *alter Christus, *rather like an ambassador represents the President or the King of the nation he represents in a foreign land. He doesn’t act on his own volition, but according to the mandates of his Head of State: Christ Himself.
Hope the analogies help you out some. God bless you!
Now, the way I approach this with Protestant friends is to start with this one basic fact: Jesus authorized – not all Christians, but the Twelve and His specifically deputized representatives in Luke 10 to do a number of things in His Name. One of those things is the forgiveness of sins.
So our sacrament of Reconciliation has its roots in our doctrine of apostolic succession. And that’s why most Protestants rebel against Confession, because they don’t believe in that divine Succession.
We confess our sins to the Priest – who is not only authorized by virtue of that apostolic succession to forgive our sins, he also becomes in the Sacrament, Christ for us, *alter Christus, *rather like an ambassador represents the President or the King of the nation he represents in a foreign land. He doesn’t act on his own volition, but according to the mandates of his Head of State: Christ Himself.
Hope the analogies help you out some. God bless you!
T
Todd_Easton
Guest
Erin Marie:
“The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.”
Todd
I wish I could take credit for this but I can’t; its something I got from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1421, which says:
“The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health, has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.”
Todd
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JoaoMachado
Guest
Erin_Marie, here is a link to a Lenten Parish Mission, put on by Fr. Willaim Casey in 2002. It is on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is very good. It may help you …
The Entire Mission here…
Good luck…
Joao
The Entire Mission here…
Good luck…
Joao
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Erin_Marie
Guest
Thank you all very much.
I am now much better equipped to handle my mothers question!
And I have learned that I have much to learn!
God bless.
I am now much better equipped to handle my mothers question!
And I have learned that I have much to learn!
God bless.
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