Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time.

My dear Parishioners,

Peace! There are twenty-three (23) In Brief 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 CIC’83 canon 959.

The 1983 Code of Canon Law and the 1992 Catechism of the Catholic Church are attempts to put the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) into effect, as tools of implementation. Canon 959 highlights for us at least four things about the Sacrament of Penance.

First, we learn that sins committed after Baptism wound both the sinner and the entire Church. While the distinction between mortal / grave / serious and venial sins are not addressed here, all sin is evil even those which are not deadly (cf. 1 John 5:16–17). All sin is an offense against the Holy God who has made us in His image and who calls each of us to holiness (cf. Genesis 1:26; Leviticus 11:44; Matthew 5:48).

Second, penitents are to confess their sins with both sorrow and proposing to reform. The different sorts of sorrow for sin (perfect and imperfect contrition) are not specifically mentioned by the canon. Perfect contrition is sorrow for sin due to the love of God. Imperfect contrition is sorrow for sin due to fear of eternal punishments. It can not be stressed enough, that God does not want any of us to suffer the eternal punishments of Hell and there is nothing imperfect in God (cf. Isaiah 45:22; Ezekiel 3:18; 18:23; Matthew 5:48). God does not force us to repent. God does not force us into His presence. Nothing unclean enters into His eternal presence in Heaven (cf. Revelation 21:27). God wants us to be converted and to live by His grace. The Sacrament of Penance is the sacrament of the ongoing conversion to which we are all called.

Third, the absolution is imparted by a legitimate minister. The prayer of absolution is the prayer prayed by the priest (or bishop) over the penitent, imparting God’s mercy. In order to be a “legitimate minister” of the Sacrament of Penance the priest (or bishop) needs not only to be ordained (at least to the presbyterate / priesthood) but to have “faculties.” Priests receive their faculties from their bishop while bishops receive their faculties with episcopal consecration (cf. canon 375 § 2).

Fourth, fruits flowing from the Sacrament of Penance include both obtaining forgiveness from God and reconciliation with the Church. By confessing our sins in the Sacrament of Penance we submit ourselves anew to God and to His gentle yoke and are liberated from servitude to sin (cf. Matthew 11:29–30; John 8:34). Our lives in Christ begin with the saving waters of Baptism through which we are cleansed in the blood of the Lamb (cf. Revelation 7:14). The graces of innocence and holiness are renewed and we are made clean by the Sacrament of Penance (cf. Matthew 8:3; Mark 1:41–42; Luke 17:11–19).

God bless you!

Father John Arthur Orr