Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 1st Sunday of Advent.
My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are twenty-three (23) passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and five (5) canons in the Code of Canon Law which can help us to appreciate the Sacrament of Penance. The following is a reflection on CCC 1459.
There are three “acts of the penitent” which should be examined when considering the Sacrament of Penance: contrition, confession and satisfaction. Having already focused on contrition and confession, we now look at satisfaction.
Among the many various important considerations we should make, one concerns “satisfaction.” Satisfaction is made through reparation and is a part of the Sacrament of Penance. Merriam-Webster reminds us that satisfaction addresses “the temporal punishment incurred by a sin” meeting “the demands of divine justice” and that reparation is “the act of making amends, offering expiation, or giving satisfaction for a wrong or injury” including “the payment of damages.” When it comes to our salvation and redemption it is Christ Jesus who paid the ultimate price on His Cross. We only contribute what we can, thanks to His grace at work in us, as we repent and make amends as we are able.
One form of satisfaction is made through restitution of stolen things and is a part of the Sacrament of Penance. In restoring stolen good the owner receives what is due. God is due our love, respect and obedience. Another form of satisfaction is made through rehabilitation of the reputation of one who was slandered this too is a part of the Sacrament of Penance. In this way we attempt to right the wrong we have done by speech. Still another form of satisfaction is also made through compensation for wounds inflicted and make up a part of the Sacrament of Penance.
These are all simply parts of natural justice, giving each their due. God too has His due. Our sins, however, not only often wound others, they always wound us, as well as our relations with both God and neighbor. The Sacrament of Penance gives forgiveness and restores spiritual holiness, imparted especially in the absolution. There are consequences of our sins which are addressed by our penances, the satisfaction we offer. The penances and satisfactions we “offer up” figure in to the “temporal punishment” due to sin. Either we make timely amends in this life or in Purgatory, or forever in Hell. The Sacrament of Penance is a remedy and means of salvation for the repentant.
When we are assigned one or another prayer or practice(s) by the priest confessor in the Sacrament of Penance, we are making ‘satisfaction’ for our sins, uniting our labors to Christ’s victorious labor of Good Friday. Of course, there is nothing we can do to earn, buy or deserve God’s grace and mercy. When we do which ever works of penance, of satisfaction, we show God both the depths of our sorrow as well as our willingness to make things right, thanks to His grace(s).
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr