Sacrament of reconciliation
23 September 2015We celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation
RECEIVE FORGIVENESS FOR THE STRENGTH TO CHANGE
My life is not the application of a regulation which obey for fear of punishment. It is an encounter-confrontation with Jesus Christ, and thermally rose for me.
The sacrament of reconciliation or confession to ask forgiveness of the wounds that I have caused to the friendship of God the father, in the person of Jesus and of his brethren. When two friends meet confide one another what they have at heart. When I meet Jesus Christ in the sacrament of reconciliation:
• He tells me his merciful love, his desire to give myself the father's forgiveness, his willingness to help me improve my life;
• In my turn I communicate my displeasure to have troubled his friendship by words, actions, specific omissions; my desire to look like more pointing out an aspect of my life which I will strive to improve.
– Prayer –
O God our father, who manifests your love and mercy, especially in the sacrament of forgiveness, give me the spirit of truth because I can recognize my sins and confess them with humility.
Forgive me if sometimes I yield passively to sin and give me a big heart not to escape to the appeals of the Gospel, of my conscience and the presence of others and to serve you with joy and peace. Amen.
EXAMINATION of CONSCIENCE an examination of conscience is the first step towards our conversion; is the break our selfishness; p sincerity without deception before God and ourselves; you desire to want to return to the light, after our sin.
What we propose is a simple trace to verify our life and to discover the beauty and height of our human and Christian vocation
LIFE WITH GOD
Faith is a grace of God for which we must thank him, but also a gift to be accepted, preserved, defended, grown and increasingly deepened
• Dedicate some’ time to reflect on what it means to be Christian (= say yes to God), in the family, at work, in the face of problems of society?
• What do I do to learn more about Jesus Christ?
• I read sometimes the Gospel
• Participate in the Holy Mass to bear witness to the faith and meet our brothers and sisters, to hear the word of the Lord and receive his body?
• Knowingly and without Receiving the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation superficiality?
• Alive Sunday as “the Lord's day” or I let myself be carried away by work, by the thirst for gain, by excessive fun?
• Have blamed or judged God for those things that did not go as I wanted or been able to accommodate with confidence his will?
• Dedicate myself, every day, a little’ of time to prayer to deepen my encounter with God and to trust him?
• Please only when I need help or I can also thank the Lord for the many signs and benefits of his love?
• Dedicate some time to “prolonged stop” in prayer to not leave me completely absorb worries of life?
• Together with my family I pray and thank the Lord for health, food, kids?
LIFE WITH THE NEXT
“I give you a new commandment, – saith the Lord – that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (JN. 13.34)
• My feelings were always intended for the good of others or helped him into difficulties? or I was grumpy, selfish, jealous, overbearing?
• I insulted, offended slandered anyone?
• I felt the desire to take revenge?
• I'm envious of what others have or know how to do?
• Help others in need or wasting money on useless things or whims?
FAMILY LIFE
• I accept my limitations and flaws, and I trust in the Lord who heals me?
• I have been able to drive with intelligence and prudence I dominate my thoughts or my sexual fantasies, my desires, my actions?
• I made vulgar sexuality with a bad language, with speeches or films and papers?
• I care of things and the environment that surrounds me?
• I know accept criticisms with humility I realise my mistakes or are haughty and arrogant with anyone correct me?
SOCIAL COMMITMENT
• I tried to give my best at work, or I was lazy, indolent, irresponsible?
• I am committed, to the best of my ability, to promote the common good, or I favored the injustice and corruption?
• I did my duty towards those in need? I welcomed initiatives for the poor near and far, or remained indifferent?
INVOLVEMENT IN THE CHURCH
• I am aware of belonging to the Church (= family of God's children)?
• I attended the life of my parish community, providing a little’ of my time and my abilities
• Feel love for my community and I have received training and charity initiatives promoted by the parish? I prayed and fostered priestly and religious vocations?
• I criticized maliciously the pastor and the lay people who engage in parish, or elsewhere? I prayed for the pastors of the Church: Pope, bishops, priests and religious?
RITE OF CONFESSION
You become aware of your sins and miseries; now, in the hope, va’ to say to Christ and the Church, represented by the priest, your shortcomings and accept the joy of friendship God's forgiveness.
The priest turns penitent salutation:
SAC.: in the name of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit
Pen.: Amen
SAC.: the Lord be in your heart and in your words so you can confess your sins
The penitent declares the time of her last confession and says his sins. The priest, after useful advice urges the penitent to express repentance with an act of contrition:
MY GOD, I AM SORRY AND I REGRET WHOLEHEARTEDLY FOR MY SINS, BECAUSE SINNING I DESERVED YOUR PUNISHMENT AND MUCH MORE BECAUSE I HAVE OFFENDED YOU, INFINITELY GOOD AND WORTHY TO BE LOVED ABOVE ALL ELSE. PROPOSE TO YOU WITH YOUR HOLY AID DIN NO OFFENSE EVER AGAIN AND TO ESCAPE THE NEAR OCCASIONS OF SIN.
LORD, MERCY, FORGIVE ME.
The priest gives absolution:
SAC.: God, the father of mercies, who reconciled the world with the death and resurrection of his son, and poured out the Holy Spirit for the remission of sins, give thee, through the Ministry of the Church, forgiveness and peace.
AND NOW I ABSOLVE YOU FROM YOUR SINS IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
The Lord has forgiven your sins. VA’ in peace!