Sacrament of Confirmation Towards a renewal in understanding and celebrating

Are you not aware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were II. The Sacrament of Confirmation - Scripture Confirmation, the Church Teaching above implies that in celebrating
baptized into his death? Through baptism into his death we were The primary effect of the celebration of Confirmation is that and teaching Confirmation, there is a need to emphasize once again
buried with him so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the it “brings to mind and renews the Pentecost event, not only for those the link of this sacrament to Baptism. As much as possible, it must be
glory of God the Father, we too might live a new life. confirmed but for the whole Christian community” (NCDP 362). The celebrated within the Eucharist to show the compilation of the
(Rom 6:3-4) best way, then, to understand this sacrament is to read and reflect process of initiation which is climaxed in the Eucharist. It also
on the story of Pentecost. provided for the emphasis and clarification of the role of the Holy
I. The Sacrament of Confirmation “Pentecost” was a great annual pilgrimage “fiesta” among Spirit in the on-going life of the Church and of the Christian to witness
Though celebrated separately from baptismal rites, the Jews. There was, therefore, a big crowd of Jewish pilgrims to the saving work of Jesus (Manabat, 1990).
Confirmation (pagpapatibay, English - reaffirmation) must be present. Acts 2:9-11 enumerates the various places where these We are born spiritually in Baptism. We become sharers in the
understood within the context of baptism. In confirmation, we pilgrims came from. The account also describes the disciples of Jesus divine life. In Confirmation, we receive a special grace by which our
reaffirm what we have pledged or promised in baptism. Both rituals, gathered in one place. Ancient Christian tradition expressed in art faith is deepened so that it will be strong enough not only for
then, remind us of our discipleship in Christ which is a commitment depicts the group as praying for the Holy Spirit promised to them by ourselves but for the needs of others with whom we will share it.
to embark on a life imbued with the Spirit of Jesus. Since infant Jesus while being unready as yet to take up the mission that Jesus Confirmation is a spiritual growing up (De Guzman and Panganiban,
baptism has become more popular in our present practice as a entrusted to them. 2017).
church, the initiation rites (Baptism - Confirmation - Eucharist) which “Suddenly, from up in the sky there came a noise like a  Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
was the tradition in the early church is not completed. Due to the strong, driving wind which was heard all through the houses where 1. Knowledge
growth in number of Christians and the bishop’s increasing inability they were seated. Tongues as of fire appeared, which parted and 2. Understanding
to be present in every initiation process entirely, Confirmation began came to rest on each of them. All were filled with the Holy Spirit.” 3. Wisdom
to be understood as a celebration of growth in one’s faith because Strong wind and fire (as in the Old Testament) express a special 4. Counsel
the ritual is undertaken during the adolescent age of the members of manifestation of God’s power and therefore show the divine origin 5. Piety
the church. Here, the faithful makes a public declaration of their full of the Spirit. The parting of the tongues of fire implied the descent of 6. Fortitude
commitment to Christ as his disciples. Thus, those who confirm their the Holy Spirit on everyone in the assembly. 7. Fear of the Lord
discipleship “are bound to show forth, by the example of their lives This was the effect of this event. The disciples (who can now In summary, “Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is
and by the witness of their speech, that new [person] which they put befittingly called apostles) gained the courage to go out and begin the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more
on at baptism, and that power of the Holy Spirit by whom they were their mission. These used to be the same band of men Jesus called deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ,
strengthened at confirmation” (Ad Gentes, art.11). “men of little faith” or being “slow to understand” a number of times strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with
in the Gospel. The crowd, in turn, was made one by the message the her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words
The earliest link to this practice of laying on of hands to apostles proclaimed (Manabat, 1990). accompanied by deeds” (CCC 1316).
confirm a baptized member in the church may be traced to the time
of Peter and the apostles (Acts 8:14-17). The invocation of the Holy III. The Sacrament of Confirmation – Church Teaching IV. Signs present in the Celebration of the Sacrament of
Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands express the deepest Speaking of the role of the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Confirmation
intent of baptism. This reminds us to take seriously our commitment life of the Church and of the Christian, the Introduction to the Revised  Chrism – This is one of the oils consecrated by the bishops in
to becoming sacraments of God’s love in the world even if it costs us rite of Confirmation 1-2 states: the chrism Mass of Holy Thursday. The chrism is olive oil
our lives. Kung gayun, ang pagdiriwang ng mga bakas na ito (binyag Those who have been baptized continue on the path of mixed with a small amount of balsam (De Guzman and
at pagpapatibay) ang nagpapadama sa atin na tayo ay may kasama Christian initiation through the sacrament of confirmation. In this Panganiban, 2017).
sa lakad natin at tayo ay may karamay lalo na sa panahon na mahirap sacrament, they receive the Holy Spirit, who was sent upon the  Anointing With Oil– Anointing with chrism on the forehead
ang pamamakas na inaasahan sa atin. Pinapaalala sa atin na mayroon apostles by the Lord on Pentecost. is done by the imposition of the hand while praying the
din tayong pananagutan sa ikabubuti ng samahan at ikagiginhawa ng This giving of the Holy Spirit conforms believers more formula prayer.
buhay sa lipunan (De Mesa and Cacho, 2012). perfectly to Christ and strengthens them so that they may bear
witness to Christ for the building up of his body in faith and love.
  Laying On of Hands - is both a symbolic and formal method
of involving the Holy Spirit primarily during baptism and
confirmation.

V. Minister, Matter, and Form in the Sacrament of Confirmation

The ordinary minister of Confirmation is the bishop. If
necessary, however, he can delegate this power to other priests.
Thus, the extraordinary minister is the priest with the approval and
blessing of the bishop.
 Matter of Confirmation – chrism oil
 Form of Confirmation – “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy
Spirit”
 SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST na loob” (a recognition of someone’s kagandahang-loob The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist – Church Teaching
[graciousness] that gives rise to that person’s kindness). The
Jesus said: “The hour is coming, and is already here, Eucharist is also a celebration of thanksgiving because we realize that The most essential teachings of the Catholic Church on the
when authentic worshipers will worship the Father in it was out of God’s gratuitousness that we are alive and our needs Eucharist based on Scripture are contained in Vatican II’s Constitution
Spirit and truth. . . God is Spirit, and those who worship sustained. It was also this goodness that we have been made as on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium), 47.
Him must worship in Spirit and truth.” “samahan” where the mutual concern is experienced. We are
(Jn 4:23-24) undeserving of God’s love but out of divine initiative and trust, we are At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior
given life and dignity as persons (cf. Ps 8). Jesus “took the bread… instituted the eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did
The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist gave thanks… broke it… and gave it to his disciples” (cf. Mt 26:26- in order to perpetuate the sacrifice on the Cross throughout the ages
At the hearts of our worship, which is considered to be the 30) are simple gestures that symbolize the whole life of Jesus. They until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse,
source and summit of the life and activities of the church is the Holy highlight Jesus’ self-giving love which brought us salvation the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection, a sacrament of
Eucharist – Ang Pasasalamat – (cf. Sacrosanctum Concilium, art. 10). (ginhawa). Every time we gather at the Eucharistic celebration, we love, a sign of unity and bond of charity, a Paschal Banquet in which
This reminds us that the Eucharist is central to our being church and relive the selflessness of Jesus by our genuine sharing with others. Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of
becoming sacrament because we remember Jesus – his life, passion, We recall that another name for this celebration is the “breaking of future glory is given to us.
death, and resurrection. At the last supper with his friends, Jesus the bread and the sharing of the cup.” Sa pagtatampok ng
said, “do this in remembrance of me” (Lk 22:19). When we gather Pasasalamat muli nating nadarama ang kagandahang-loob ng Diyos  The Church Teaching declares that the Eucharist has its
around the altar, Jesus’ table-fellowship with people is re-lived in ay pinagtitibay ang ating pagsasaloob nito (De Mesa and Cacho, origin in Jesus. He established it at the Last Supper, the night
thanksgiving. The bond of friendship we share with one another is 2012). before he died on the Cross. But the many fellowship meals
made stronger such that we become even more zealous in our which he shared during his public life had long prepared for
discipleship (pamamakas). Habang nababakas nating ang walang The central place of the Eucharist in Christian life has been it. The meals he shared with his disciples after his
humpay na pagmamagandang-loob ng Diyos sa paghahati-hati ng expressed in various ways: the “summit and source of the whole resurrection confirmed that the Eucharistic meal where His
tinapay ay bahaginan ng alak ay inaanyayahan din tayong maging Christian life,” the climax of the process of Christian initiation, and body is the bread broken and shared was a life-giving
bakas ni Hesus sa ating panahon (De Mesa and Cacho, 2012). the centerpiece of the seven ritual sacraments (LG 11, CCC 1324, CFC encounter with Him as the Risen Lord (cf. CFC 1214). This
1302). Indeed, for most Catholics “going to Mass” is the most basic then, strongly points out, as Scripture does, the meal aspect
Together with our association of the Eucharist with action of Catholic worship, but few understand the richness and of the Eucharist.
communal meal and sacrifice, we also understand it in the context of depth of this sacrament. This leads to separating the Mass from their
a sacramental thanksgiving (Pasasalamat) of the community of daily lives, having little to do with their ordinary moral activities,  The Eucharist was entrusted by Christ to the Church. It is to
disciples to God’s graciousness in Jesus through the Spirit. True to its especially with any concrete action for the poor (cf. CFC 1311). Yet the the Christian community, the community of His disciples,
original meaning in Greek, the word Eucharist denotes thanksgiving. Eucharist can be a very powerful force for proclaiming the Good that Jesus entrusted the continuing remembrance of His life-
This suggests that our gathering is a celebration of our gratitude to News of salvation, for building up communities and transforming giving death and resurrection. In the celebration of the
God’s graciousness which Jesus personifies. This unconditional love society if understood in its deepest natures as the “Sacrament of love Eucharist, Christ is united with the Church. The communal
of God never dies; it continues to be felt by us through the many signs and bond of fraternal unity” (Manabat, 1990). aspect of the Eucharistic celebration must therefore be
of God’s presence in our lives, our celebrations included. We emphasized.
acknowledge with all humility God’s kagandahang-loob (pure The term Eucharist is a transliteration of the Greek word
graciousness) and we could not help but proclaim this in public as we Eucharistia which means “act of thanksgiving.” It refers to the  The Eucharist is the memorial of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross.
gather on days appointed to commemorate God’s solidarity with us thanksgiving of Jesus when He instituted it, as the gospel and St Paul “Memorial” in the Jewish and Christian sense, does not only
(De Mesa and Cacho, 2012). recalls. “As early as the second century, we have the witness of St. mean recalling a past event. It also means making present
Justin martyr for the basic lines of the order of the Eucharistic that past event through a ritual celebration in order to
It is common for us Filipinos to express our gratitude to celebration (CCC 1345). continually receive the benefits of that event. The Eucharist,
someone who has been kind to us, we call it “pagtananaw ng utang therefore, makes the saving death of Jesus so that the life
and salvation it brought about can be shared by the people
 of God for all ages. AT the Last Suppers, Jesus made it clear 2. St. Mark – While they were eating, He took bread, said the apostles for sure saw no change, but we believe at that
that in the rite of the Eucharistic meal where His Body and blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this moment the substance of bread and wine gave way to the
Blood are taken as food, His redemptive death is made is My body.” Then He took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to substance of the body and blood of Jesus while the
present. He Himself is really present especially under the them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is My appearance of bread and wine remains the same. There was
signs of bread and wine. blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many (Mk a change of the substance of the body and blood of Jesus
14:22-24) while the appearance of bread and wine remains the same.
 As the sacrament of love, the Eucharist expresses the There was a change of substance - transubstantiation. It
fullness of love shown in Jesus’ total and unconditional gift 3. St. Luke – Then He took the bread, said the blessing, broke happened because Jesus, who is Truth, said it so. God’s
of Himself. It also calls and empowers those who partake in it, and gave it to them saying, “This is My body, which will be power brings about that change of substance.
it to “love one another as he has loved them.” given for you; do this in memory of Me.” And likewise the
cup after they had eaten saying, “This cup is the new 2. The Holy Communion
 The Eucharist does not only commemorate and relive the covenant in My blood, which will be shed for you” (Lk 22:19- On the eve of His passion, Jesus during the Last
past but it also gives us a glimpse of the covenant meal of 20). Supper gave His body and blood to be consumed. Our Lord
God with his people at the end of time. Christ gave the During the Last Supper, our Lord anticipated the urges us to eat His flesh and drink His blood. Those who
Eucharist this significance at the Last Supper: “I tell you; I will bloody sacrifice which he would accomplish on the following refuse are threatened with damnation and those who
not drink this fruit of the vine from now until the day when I day on the cross, once and for all, for the redemption of the respond are promised of eternal life. In every Mass, Jesus
drink it new with you in my Father’s reign” (Mt 26:29, see Church (cf. CCC 1337-1344). This action of Jesus in the Last gives Himself to us as spiritual food.
also Mk 14:25; Lk 22:16,18). The celebration of the Eucharist Supper is the institution of the Eucharist and He Our union with Christ is effected in this sacrament.
makes frequent references to the second and glorious “commanded His apostles to celebrate it until His return” “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks My blood remains in me
coming of Christ at the end of time and the Messianic (CCC 1337). The offering and consecration of the bread and and I in Him” (Jn 6:56). Thus, the primary effect of Holy
Banquet in the Father’s Kingdom. wine as the body and blood of Christ, the breaking and Communion is union with Christ. The union promoted by the
sharing of the body and blood of Christ as communion form Eucharist is not only with Christ, but also union with one
The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist – Scripture a very important ritual of the celebration of the Eucharist (De another. Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many,
On the night before Jesus died, He shared a very special meal Guzman and Panganiban, 2017). are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf (1 Cor 10:17).
with His disciples. This special meal is the Last Supper. The Last
Supper has four distinct accounts in the Bible. St. Paul says: “For I Important aspects of the Holy Eucharist 3. The Holy Sacrifice
received from the Lord what I also handed on to you that the Lord 1. The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist The term Mass came from the Latin
Jesus, on the night He was handed over, took bread, and, after He Jesus is really present as Man and God in the verb mittere meaning “to send”. The word sacrifice came
had given thanks, broke it and said “This is My body that is for you. Eucharist consecrated during every Mass and reposed in the from the words sacrum facere, meaning “to make sacred or
Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also the cup, after tabernacle of Catholic churches. His body is there, His blood to transform into something sacred.” In the Bible, sacrifice
supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as is there, His soul there, His Godhead is there. Jesus, all that has a technical meaning - it is the offering to God of some
often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me” (1 Cor 11:23-25). The same God is present with His human nature, truly and sanctified object (victim) made by a legitimate priest, who
words given by the other writers are as follows: substantially under the appearance of bread and wine. This destroys that object in acknowledgment of God’s supreme
1. St. Matthew – While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said happens through the transubstantiation in which all the dominion over man.
the blessing, broke it, and gave it to His disciples said, “Take substance of the bread becomes the Body of Christ and all The Mass is the memorial of the sacrifice of the
and eat; this is My body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, the substance of the wine becomes His blood without Lord; it meets all the above conditions of sacrifice. The Last
and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, for this altering the appearance (accidents or species) of bread and Supper is the real presence of Christ’s body and blood in an
is My blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of wine (cf. CCC 1375-1376). unbloody manner, which was sealed by the Blood of Christ
many for the forgiveness of sins” (Mt 26:26-28). At the Last Supper, Jesus took a piece of bread in on the cross the next day. Holy Mass is the unbloody sacrifice
His hand and sand over it, “This is My body.” Similarly, He did of Jesus Christ on Calvary made present under the
the same to the chalice of wine, “This is My blood.” The appearance of bread and wine, as instituted by Christ at the
 Last Supper and repeated or continued up to our time. It is a
dogma of faith that the sacrifice of the Mass is the “renewal”
without shedding of blood, of the blood-shedding sacrifice
of Calvary (cf CCC 1366).
The terms reenactment or representation can also
be used instead of renewal. All of the terms fall short to
describe what really happens in the Mass which is
substantially the same as the sacrifice of the cross (De
Guzman and Panganiban, 2017).
In conclusion, the Holy Eucharist is not only a
sacrament, but the one sacrifice of the New Covenant, and
as a sacrifice, we call it Holy Mass. Our Catholic belief is that
the Mass is simply Calvary re-enacted though in a
sacramental but nonetheless real manner (Ripley, 2002).

For Review
1. What is the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist?
2. Narrate the Last Supper.
3. Enumerate and explain the important aspects of the Holy
Eucharist.
For Reflection
What is the importance of the Holy Eucharist in your life?
 ADVENT ADVENT: Making present the expectancy of the Messiah [Link]
- Mean “to come” and is a time to prepare for the birth of  “The coming of God’s Son to earth is an event of such euRZ0M&feature=emb_logo
Christ and for his second coming. immensity that God willed to prepare for it over centuries.” [Link]
- It celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Jesus. (CCC) logo
- Begins on the Sunday closest to the last day in November  Salvific word of God from his covenant with Noah, Abraham [Link]
- The season is the four Sundays before Christmas. and with Moses it culminates we believe in the coming of the
- Ends each year on December 24 and then the Christmas Messiah, the Anointed One who ushered in the New
season begins. Covenant of God with his people.
 God is great. After making a covenant with his people, he
Popular Traditions of the Advent Season continued to leave them through the prophets. The
 The Advent Wreath prophets announced the coming of the one who will restore
- is circular and made of evergreens which symbolize the the provident relationship with God which was constantly
eternity of God broken by human sin
- each candle is lit on a different Sunday during the season o Isaiah- announced the birth of the Emmanuel from a virgin
- The pink Candle is lit third, on a day called Gaudete Sunday. o Hosea-announced the Christ child who will return from
Gaudete means rejoice and symbolizes the nearness of the Egypt.
Lord. o Ezekiel- announced to us that the Lord will dwell among us
 Three Purple candles- represent hope (1st Sunday),  One holy night in Bethlehem, in that humble manger where
love (John the Baptist calling people to repent), the world first heard the voice that proclaims to all the
peace (4th Sunday- mary receiving from the Angel presence of God as a humble human being; the voice that
Gabriel her mission to bear a son to be named draws us to God’s saving work, the voice that speaks for the
Jesus) poor before the throne of God.
 Pink candle- represents joy (3rd Sunday, John the o John the Baptist
Baptist as the voice crying out on the wilderness - immediate precursor or forerunner of the Lord.
makes straight the way of the Lord) - Even from his mother’s womb, John already
 White candle- represents the birth of Jesus announced the gospel and welcomed the coming of
 The Nativity the Messiah whom he later points out as the Lamb
- the custom of displaying a Nativity scene was first started by of God who takes away the sins of the world.
St. Francis of Assisi in 1223, with the creation of the Christmas - In Elizabeth’s womb, John rejoiced the coming of
manger. salvation. He left for joy. Salvation is near and so in
 Blessing of the Christmas Trees his ministry, he gave his all, in joining the people to
- The origin of the Christmas tree is found in ‘medieval plays make straight, the way of the Lord
that depicted the tree of paradise and the Christmas light or  “When the church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each
candle that symbolized Christ, the light of the world’. year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the
- Christmas trees in the home are usually blessed by a parent Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the
or family member on the Vigil of Christmas or Christmas Day. Saviour’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire
for His second coming” (CCC)
 Sacrament of Reconciliation The sacrament of God’s forgiveness which was fully revealed in Jesus The Sacrament of Reconciliation – Church Teaching
Blessed is the one whose fault is removed, is celebrated in the rites of reconciliation. As a sacrament, it reminds God’s response of mercy and compassion to our need for
whose sin is forgiven us that the God we believe in loves us unconditionally. When we sin forgiveness and healing opens us to a renewed life. This is effected in
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord or reject life, God does not withdraw love from us. Like a loving a concrete way through the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance.
imputes no guild father, God awaits our coming back (pagbaballik-loob) patiently and
in whose spirit is no deceit. rejoices when we finally return home (Lk 15:11-32). Even if we forget, The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium), 11
(Psalm 32) God would be a mother whose memory of us would never be describes the Sacrament thus:
forgotten (Is 49:15). In as much as we experience God’s pardon for Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain from
The Sacrament of Reconciliation our sins and are given a fresh start whenever we fall short of divine God’s mercy for offenses committed against him, and are, at the
In the midst of our striving to be faithful friends and disciples expectation, we are also called to extend the same forgiveness to same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by
of Jesus, we may falter and fall. There may be differences, conflicts one another (Mk 25). In this way we are renewed and our their sins and which by charity and example and prayer, labors for
and misunderstanding among us. We may also find ourselves relationships restored. their conversion (CCC 1422; CFC 1385).
refusing to listen to the promptings of the Spirit of Jesus. In this way,
instead of being signs of God’s kagandahang-loob, we become Before Vatican II, the sacrament of reconciliation was The Council of Trent has very clear words about the Sacrament of
stumbling blocks or even a scandal to others. Naglalaho ang ating commonly called “confession” due to its emphasis on the telling of Penance:
pagiging bakas. Our greed, apathy, anger or jealousy could bring out one’s sins to a priest. This had the effect of narrowing down the As a means of regaining grace and justice, penance at all
the worst in us thereby causing one another harm. Sin brings sacrament to a preoccupation with getting rid of sins in order to times is necessary for those who had defiled their souls with any
sufferings not just to one’s self but also to others. How could we become pure or holy. What had been forgotten was the context in mortal sins… Before the coming of Christ, penance was not a
restore our relationships or start anew with those we offended? which the practice started; namely, the situation when people sought Sacrament nor is it, since His coming, a Sacrament for those who are
Without humble recognition of our sins and sincere desire to mend spiritual counsel from esteemed religious leaders. Before advice not baptized. But the Lord then principally instituted the Sacrament
our ways, we could never achieve harmony with one another. could be given it was necessary to know something about the of Penance, when, after His Resurrection from the dead, He breathed
Reconciliation (pagbabalik-loob) is a necessary element towards penitent’s past. Ultimately, the whole point of the process was the upon His disciples saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you
better relationships. Pagbabalik-loob is a return to our most renewal of one’s entire life. forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained”
authentic relational selves. Pagbabalik-loob is a necessary element (Jn 20:22-23). By which action so signal and words so forgiving and
towards better relationships. Pagbabalik-loob is a return to our most But personal conversion is not enough, faced with social sins retaining sins as communicated to the Apostles and to their lawful
authentic relational selves. Such self, in the view of Filipino culture, is that disrupt the quality of life in this world, the church is called to be successors, for the reconciling of the Faithful who have fallen after
fundamentally good or maganda. Moreover, we believe as Christians witness to social transformation. When sinful structures continue to Baptism. Moreover, Christ left priests, His own vicars, as judges, unto
that this self is made in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:27). To thrive in our society and there is indifference to bring about change, whom all the mortal sins into which the faithful may have follow
“return” to it suggests conversation because we root ourselves once we turn away from the vision of the kingdom of God (PCP II, art 271). should be revealed in order that, in accordance with the power of the
more to our loob which is oriented towards the good. It also implies God’s presence is obscured from our view and our well-being is keys, they may pronounce the sentence of forgiveness or retention
reconciliation because our loob is necessarily related to the loob of compromised. Thus, the essence of the sacrament of reconciliation is of sin (De Guzman and Panganiban, 2017).
others. Jesus highlighted this in his ministry when he forgave sinners our liberation from sin towards a life of harmony with God, with
and accepted them unconditionally (Lk 7:36-50; Jn 8:-11). He never fellow human beings and with the rest of creation. But this is only The Sacrament of Reconciliation– Scripture
judges people harshly, because for him everybody always deserves a achieved if we strive to live in justice and righteousness (Is 32:16-18) The human process of sin, forgiveness and reconciliation is
chance to start anew (Mt 18:21-22). and allow ourselves to be healed from our brokenness so that we most powerfully illustrated in the Parable of the Prodigal Son.
may have the strength to take part in our work of conversion. As God The Parable of the Prodigal Son can help us understand the
has reconciled us to GodSelf, we strive to reconcile ourselves to one stages in our journey back to God. The journey for the young man and
another and to the rest of creation (De Mesa and Cacho, 2012). in the parable (and for us) begins with the selfishness of sin. Sin took
him from the home of his father, as our sin takes us from the God and  Confession refers to the actual act of acknowledging our sins
the Christian community. His major concern in his self-centered before the Lord. It is the act of self-accusation of sins
lifestyle was himself and his personal gratification. None of the committed after baptism, made to the confessor or priest to
relationships he establishes were lasting. When his money ran out, obtain sacramental absolution. This could be difficult
his friends deserted him. Eventually, he discovered himself alone, because we confess our sins to a fellow human being - the
mired in the mud of a pigpen, just as he was mired in sin. “Then he priest. Yet it is a sign of our trust in God and His instruments.
came to his senses…” (Luke 15:17). This was the beginning of the it is the external sign of our internal sorrow. This is
journey back to the beginning of conversion. concluded with the absolution given by the priest on God's
The conversion process begins with a “coming to one’s behalf.
senses” with a realization that all is not right with our values and style  Satisfaction is the penance imposed on the penitent by the
of life. But this recognition of one’s sinfulness is possible because the confessor for the sins made known to him in confession.
Father has long been waiting for our return. Conversion is our Although the sacramental absolution takes away the sin, the
response to our Father who has long been calling us back. In the priest imposes penance to the penitent not only to help him
depth of his mercy, the Father calls us to return to him. Conversion or her lead a new life and as a remedy for the penitent’s
means a change of heart expressed in one’s conduct. This message is weakness and also as a penalty and correction for the past
at the very heart of Jesus’ preaching (Manabat, 1990). sins now forgiven. The penitent has to “satisfy” or atoone
for his or her sins.
Threefold Heading of Sacrament of Reconciliation
 Confession is a great gift from God. It is the most powerful For Review
invention of the love and mercy of God. Explain the Sacrament of Reconciliation as “pagbabalik-loob”.
 The Sacrament of Penance is also called the sacrament of Discuss the Sacrament of Reconciliation based on the scripture.
conversion, the Sacrament of Confession, the Sacrament of Enumerate and explain the three fold heading of the Sacrament of
Forgiveness, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or the Reconciliation.
Sacrament of Contrition. All of these names have something
to do with the process of celebration of the sacrament. For Reflection
 The part of the penitent in this sacrament is summed up What is the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in your
under threefold heading - repentance or contrition, life?
confession, and satisfaction.
 Contrition or repentance is the first step to the celebration
of the sacrament. It is defined as “sorrow of the soul and
detestation for the sin committed, together with the
resolution not to sin again (CCC 1451). When this sorrow is
due to charity, that is, when one is sorry for the offense
caused to God, it is called perfect contrition. If the sorrow is
due to fear of the deserved punishment, it is called imperfect
contrition or attrition. Attrition, though, is sufficient for the
forgiveness of sins if it is accompanied with confession and
absolution (DS 1558).