Sacrament of Reconciliation
“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
What is the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Confession or Penance, is a Sacrament of healing, a gift from God that gives us the opportunity to experience His mercy and forgiveness. Sin hurts our relationship with God, with ourselves, and with others. In this sacrament, we acknowledge our sins before a priest and seek reconciliation with God and the Church. Through honest self-reflection, sincere remorse, and a genuine desire for change, we receive absolution and are restored to a state of grace. It is a sacred encounter where the unconditional love and forgiveness of God are experience in a profound and personal way.
“For God so love the world that He sent His only-begotten, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Why did Jesus institute the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
In short, this is to restore us back to the Father and to heal us. From the beginning, God created us out of love to be with Him, to lavish us with everything good. But through sin, we were exiled from Paradise and became refugees in a land where sin and death are the rulers. Coming to Reconciliation regularly strengthens our relationship with God, fosters spiritual growth, and provides the necessary graces to grow in holiness. Sincere preparation for the sacrament of Reconciliation is a journey that enables individuals to experience the healing power of God's love, mercy, and forgiveness.
“I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
Preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
As we approach this sacred encounter with God's mercy and forgiveness, we encourage our parishioners to reflect on their actions, examine their conscience, and express true contrition for their sins. Through self-examination and prayer, individuals are called to recognize the ways in which they have fallen short of God's love and to seek reconciliation with both God and their fellow human beings. Sacred Heart Parish offers various resources to aid in this preparation, including individual confession opportunities and spiritual guidance from our dedicated priests.
““Yet even now”, says the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and mourning.””
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your merciful love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless in your judgment.”
Resources
If you need more information or encouragement on how to approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation, watch the videos below as you pray about it.