Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 236 - Part I.
(Youcat answer) No man can forgive sins
unless he has a commission from God to do so and the power given by him to
ensure that the forgiveness he promises the penitent really takes place. The Bishop,
in the first place, is appointed to do that and, then, his helpers, the
ordained priests.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 1461)
Since Christ entrusted to his apostles the ministry of reconciliation (Cf. Jn
20:23; 2 Cor 5:18), bishops who are their successors, and priests, the bishops'
collaborators, continue to exercise this ministry. Indeed bishops and priests,
by virtue of the sacrament of Holy Orders, have the power to forgive all sins
"in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit."
Reflecting and meditating
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 1462)
Forgiveness of sins brings reconciliation with God, but also with the Church.
Since ancient times the bishop, visible head of a particular Church, has thus
rightfully been considered to be the one who principally has the power and
ministry of reconciliation: he is the moderator of the penitential discipline
(Cf. LG 26 § 3). Priests, his collaborators, exercise it to the extent that
they have received the commission either from their bishop (or religious
superior) or the Pope, according to the law of the Church (Cf. CIC cann. 844;
967-969; 972; CCEO, can. 722 §§ 3-4).
Monday, January 30, 2017
Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 235.
YOUCAT Question n. 235 - Can I make a confession even if I have not committed any serious sins?
(Youcat answer) Confession is a great
gift of healing that brings about closer union with the Lord, even if, strictly
speaking, you do not have to go to confession.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 1458
a) Without being strictly necessary, confession of everyday faults (venial
sins) is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church (Cf. Council of Trent:
DS 1680; CIC, can. 988 § 2). Indeed the regular confession of our venial sins helps
us form our conscience, fight against evil tendencies, let ourselves be healed
by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. By receiving more frequently
through this sacrament the gift of the Father's mercy, we are spurred to be
merciful as he is merciful (Cf. Lk 6:36): Whoever confesses his sins… is
already working with God. God indicts your sins; if you also indict them, you
are joined with God.
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) In Taizé, at Catholic conferences, at World
Youth Day celebrations—everywhere, you see young people being reconciled with
God. Christians who take seriously their decision to follow Jesus seek the joy
that comes from a radical new beginning with God. Even the saints went to
confession regularly, if possible. They needed it in order to grow in humility
and charity, so as to allow themselves to be touched by God’s healing light
even in the inmost recesses of their souls.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 1458
b) Man and sinner are, so to speak, two realities: when you hear "man"
- this is what God has made; when you hear "sinner" - this is what
man himself has made. Destroy what you have made, so that God may save what he
has made.... When you begin to abhor what you have made, it is then that your
good works are beginning, since you are accusing yourself of your evil works.
The beginning of good works is the confession of evil works. You do the truth
and come to the light (St. Augustine, In
Jo. Ev. 12, 13: PL 35, 1491).
(The next question is: Why are priests the only ones who can forgive sins?)
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 234.
YOUCAT Question n. 234 - When is a Catholic obliged to confess his serious sins? How often should one go to confession?
(Youcat answer) Upon reaching the age
of reason, a Catholic is obliged to confess his serious sins. The Church urgently
advises the faithful to do this at least once a year. At any rate one must go to
confession before receiving Holy Communion if one has committed a serious sin.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 1457)
According to the Church's command, "after having attained the age of
discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to
confess serious sins at least once a year" (Cf. CIC, Can. 989; Council of Trent (1551): DS
1683; DS 1708). Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not
receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having
first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for
receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession (Cf.
Council of Trent (1551): DS 1647; 1661; CIC, can. 916; CCEO, can. 711).
Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion
for the first time (Cf. CIC, can. 914).
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) By “the age of reason”, the Church means the
age at which one has arrived at the use of reason and has learned to
distinguish between good and bad.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 2042)
The first precept (“You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of
obligation and rest from servile labor") requires the faithful to sanctify
the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal
liturgical feasts honoring the mysteries
of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by
participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community
is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede
such a sanctification of these days (Cf. CIC, cann. 1246-1248; CCEO, cann. 880
§ 3, 881 §§ 1, 2, 4). The second precept (“You shall confess your sins at least
once a year.") ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of
the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism's work of conversion
and forgiveness (Cf. CIC, can. 989; CCEO, can. 719). The third precept (“You
shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter
season.") guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord's Body and
Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the
Christian liturgy (Cf. CIC, can. 920; CCEO, cann. 708; 881 § 3)
(The next question is: Can I make a confession even if I have not committed any serious sins?)
Friday, January 27, 2017
Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 233.
YOUCAT Question n. 233 - What sins must be confessed?
(Youcat answer) Under normal
circumstances, all serious sins that one remembers after making a thorough examination
of conscience and that have not yet been confessed can be forgiven only in individual
sacramental confession.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 1457)
According to the Church's command, "after having attained the age of
discretion, each of the faithful is bound by an obligation faithfully to
confess serious sins at least once a year" (Cf. CIC, Can. 989; Council of Trent (1551): DS
1683; DS 1708). Anyone who is aware of having committed a mortal sin must not
receive Holy Communion, even if he experiences deep contrition, without having
first received sacramental absolution, unless he has a grave reason for
receiving Communion and there is no possibility of going to confession (Cf.
Council of Trent (1551): DS 1647; 1661; CIC, can. 916; CCEO, can. 711).
Children must go to the sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion
for the first time (Cf. CIC, can. 914).
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) Of course there will be reluctance before
making a confession. Overcoming it is the first step toward interior healing.
Often it helps to think that even the Pope has to have the courage to confess
his failings and weaknesses to another priest—and thereby to God. Only in
life-or-death emergencies (for instance, during an airstrike in wartime or on
other occasions when a group of people are in danger of death) can a priest
administer “general absolution” to a group of people without the personal
confession of sins beforehand. However, afterwards, one must confess serious
sins in a personal confession at the first opportunity.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 1384)
The Lord addresses an invitation to us, urging us to receive him in the
sacrament of the Eucharist: "Truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh
of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you" (Jn 6:53).
(CCC 1385) To respond to this invitation we must prepare ourselves for so great and so holy a moment. St. Paul urges
us to examine our conscience: "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or
drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning
the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the
bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning
the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself" (1 Cor 11:27-29). Anyone
conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before
coming to communion.
(The next question is: When is a Catholic obliged to confess his serious sins? How often should one go to confession?)
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 232 - Part VII.
YOUCAT Question n. 232 - Part VII. What must I bring to a confession?
(Youcat answer – repeated) Essential
elements of every confession are an examination of conscience, contrition, a
purpose of amendment, confession, and penance.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 1491)
The sacrament of Penance is a whole consisting in three actions of the penitent
and the priest's absolution. The penitent's acts are repentance, confession or
disclosure of sins to the priest, and the intention to make reparation and do
works of reparation. (CCC 1492) Repentance (also called contrition) must be inspired
by motives that arise from faith. If repentance arises from love of charity for
God, it is called "perfect" contrition; if it is founded on other
motives, it is called "imperfect."
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) The examination of conscience should be done
thoroughly, but it can never be exhaustive. No one can be absolved from his sin
without real contrition, merely on the basis of “lip-service”. Equally
indispensable is the purpose of
amendment, the resolution not to commit
that sin again in the future. The sinner absolutely must declare the sin to the
confessor and, thus, confess to it. The final essential element of confession is
the atonement or penance that the confessor imposes on the sinner to make
restitution for the harm done.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 1493)
One who desires to obtain reconciliation with God and with the Church, must
confess to a priest all the unconfessed grave sins he remembers after having
carefully examined his conscience. The confession of venial faults, without
being necessary in itself, is nevertheless strongly recommended by the Church.
(CCC 1494) The confessor proposes the performance of certain acts of
"satisfaction" or "penance" to be performed by the penitent
in order to repair the harm caused by sin and to re-establish habits befitting
a disciple of Christ.
(The next question is: What sins must be confessed?)
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