Catechism - Brief Answers: Confession

Summary

This video script discusses the sacrament of reconciliation and confession in the Catholic Church. It explains why it is necessary to confess sins, highlighting the healing, forgiveness, and restored relationship with God and the Church that it brings. The script emphasizes that, though baptism reconciles us with God initially, the sacrament of penance offers continual grace. It also clarifies the role of priests in administering this sacrament, acting in the person of Christ. Additionally, the video explores the multiple names for the sacrament, such as conversion, penance, confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation, emphasizing the healing power and love of God.

Takeaways

• 😀 We confess our sins to be freed from the personal guilt and experience healing.
• 😀 The sacrament of reconciliation offers pardon for sins and restores our relationship with God and the Church.
• 😀 Baptism reconciles us with God, but the sacrament of penance is necessary for healing after personal sins post-baptism.
• 😀 The sacrament of reconciliation is a fresh start, offering continual grace to restore our relationship with the Lord.
• 😀 Jesus Christ instituted the sacraments, including penance and reconciliation, which are visible signs of His grace.
• 😀 The authority to forgive sins was given by Jesus to His Apostles and continues through bishops and priests.
• 😀 We confess our sins to a priest because they represent both Christ and the Church, administering the sacrament in Persona Christi.
• 😀 Through the priest, it is ultimately Christ who forgives sins, using the priest as an instrument of grace.
• 😀 The sacrament is called by many names because it has various effects: conversion, penance, confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
• 😀 Confession is not just about disclosing sins but also acknowledging God's holiness, compassion, and mercy.
• 😀 The sacrament of reconciliation brings peace and reconciliation not only with God but also with fellow believers, encouraging unity.

Q & A

Why do we need to confess our sins?

We need to confess our sins to be freed from the personal guilt that accompanies sin, offering us healing and reconciliation with God and the Church.

What is the purpose of the sacrament of penance and reconciliation?

The sacrament of penance and reconciliation seeks to obtain pardon for the offense committed against the Lord and to restore our relationship with the Church, which is wounded by the sins of its members.

Why do we need another sacrament after baptism for the forgiveness of sins?

Baptism reconciles us with God but does not protect us from personal sins. The sacrament of penance and reconciliation restores our relationship with the Lord and the Church after we sin post-baptism.

Who instituted the sacrament of penance and reconciliation?

The sacrament of penance and reconciliation was instituted by Jesus Christ. He gave His Apostles the authority to forgive sins, a power which has been passed down to priests and bishops.

Why do we confess our sins to a priest?

We confess our sins to a priest because Jesus gave the authority to forgive sins to His Apostles, and priests, as successors of the Apostles, represent both Jesus and the Church in this sacrament.

How does a priest administer the sacrament of penance?

A priest administers the sacrament of penance by hearing our confession and granting absolution in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, acting as an instrument of Christ.

What does it mean when the priest acts 'in Persona Christi'?

When a priest acts 'in Persona Christi,' it means that he is acting in the person of Christ, and it is Christ who forgives the sins through the priest, not the priest himself.

Why do we call the sacrament of penance by many names?

The sacrament is called by many names because it has various effects and graces: it is a sacrament of conversion, penance, confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation, each reflecting a different aspect of the sacrament's impact.

What is the significance of calling this sacrament a 'sacrament of conversion'?

As a sacrament of conversion, it represents the call of Jesus to repent and return to God, marking the first step in restoring our relationship with the Father after we stray through sin.

What does the sacrament of penance and reconciliation grant us?

The sacrament grants us forgiveness, peace, and healing, helping us reconcile with God and the Church while restoring our relationship with the Lord.