Monday, August 27, 2012
303. What are the acts of the penitent? (part 1)
(Comp
303) They are: a careful examination of conscience; contrition (or
repentance), which is perfect when it is motivated by love of God and imperfect
if it rests on other motives and which includes the determination not to sin
again; confession, which consists in the telling of one’s sins to the priest;
and satisfaction or the carrying out of certain acts of penance which the
confessor imposes upon the penitent to repair the damage caused by sin.
“In brief”
(CCC 1487) The sinner wounds God's honor and love, his own
human dignity as a man called to be a son of God, and the spiritual well-being
of the Church, of which each Christian ought to be a living stone.
To deepen and explain
(CCC 1451) Among the penitent's acts contrition occupies
first place. Contrition is "sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin
committed, together with the resolution not to sin again" (Council of
Trent (1551): DS 1676). (CCC 1452) When it arises from a love by which God is
loved above all else, contrition is called "perfect" (contrition of
charity). Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of
mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental
confession as soon as possible (Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1677). (CCC 1453)
The contrition called "imperfect" (or "attrition") is also
a gift of God, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is born of the consideration
of sin's ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties
threatening the sinner (contrition of fear). Such a stirring of conscience can
initiate an interior process which, under the prompting of grace, will be
brought to completion by sacramental absolution. By itself however, imperfect
contrition cannot obtain the forgiveness of grave sins, but it disposes one to
obtain forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance (Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS
1678; 1705).
On reflection
(CCC 1450) "Penance requires… the sinner to endure all
things willingly, be contrite of heart, confess with the lips, and practice
complete humility and fruitful satisfaction" (Roman Catechism II, V, 21;
cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1673). (CCC 1454) The reception of this
sacrament ought to be prepared for by an examination
of conscience made in the light of the Word of God. The passages best
suited to this can be found in the moral catechesis of the Gospels and the
apostolic Letters, such as the Sermon on the Mount and the apostolic teachings
(Cf. Mt 5-7; Rom 12-15; 1 Cor 12-13; Gal 5; Eph 4-6; etc.). [IT CONTINUES]
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