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Dourbest
Guest
Is it needed for absolution, more of an obligation, etc.?
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Tis_Bearself
Patron
Reparation to whom? The victim of your bad act? God?
It’s not needed for absolution. All that is required for absolution is that you repent of your sin - are sincerely sorry and firmly resolve to sin no more in the future.
The priest can’t order you to make reparation and then come back for absolution, unless somehow by “reparation” you’re ceasing to commit an ongoing sin. For example, if you stole somebody’s car and are driving around in it, then if you resolve to sin no more in the future that might mean you need to return the stolen car so you’re not continuing to commit car theft. In that case the priest would make you stop driving the stolen car before he could absolve you, but not as “reparation”, instead it’s to stop the ongoing sin.
The priest can’t order you to do anything that might disclose your sin outside the confessional (for example, pay back stolen money, or tell your spouse you cheated). To the extent the priest might be able to give you some penance that involves reparation (for example, saying prayers), nowadays this would happen after he absolves you.
It’s not needed for absolution. All that is required for absolution is that you repent of your sin - are sincerely sorry and firmly resolve to sin no more in the future.
The priest can’t order you to make reparation and then come back for absolution, unless somehow by “reparation” you’re ceasing to commit an ongoing sin. For example, if you stole somebody’s car and are driving around in it, then if you resolve to sin no more in the future that might mean you need to return the stolen car so you’re not continuing to commit car theft. In that case the priest would make you stop driving the stolen car before he could absolve you, but not as “reparation”, instead it’s to stop the ongoing sin.
The priest can’t order you to do anything that might disclose your sin outside the confessional (for example, pay back stolen money, or tell your spouse you cheated). To the extent the priest might be able to give you some penance that involves reparation (for example, saying prayers), nowadays this would happen after he absolves you.
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po18guy
Well-known member
Your title answers the question. Reparation is right and just. If you owe someone on earth, you pay the debt. Simple. You cannot pay your debt to God, since you are finite and He is infinite. Therefore, Christ took flesh so that, having both human and divine natures, He could make atonement for our sins to the Father.
However, we are not freed of the responsibility, being parts of Christ’s Body. So, as members of Christ’s Body, we offer ourselves at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as living sacrifices in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
However, we are not freed of the responsibility, being parts of Christ’s Body. So, as members of Christ’s Body, we offer ourselves at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as living sacrifices in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
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Dourbest
Guest
But how would you define it in relation to absolution/confession?
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