Sometimes on our journey toward the heavenly promised land we stumble and fall into sin. God is always ready to lift us up and to restore us to gracefilled fellowship with him. He does this through the Sacrament of Penance (which is also known as confession or reconciliation, each term emphasizing a different element of the Sacrament).
Jesus gave His apostles power and authority to reconcile us to the Father. They received Jesus' own power to forgive sins when he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained" (John 20:22-23).
Paul notes that "all this is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gven us the ministry of reconciliation...We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us" (2Corinthians 5:18-20). Through confession to a priest, God's minister, we have our sins forgiven, and we recieve grace to help us resist future temptations.
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*This text was taken from "Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth" by Catholic Answers. More information about confirmation can be found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1422-1498) or at www.catholic.com
St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church Kankakee IL | (815) 933-7177
Here at St. Martin we are one in passion and purpose...Jesus Christ!