Back ground:
During lent, normally first 2 sundays are similar in readings in all 3 cycles, (though, Gospels readings are of different writers). From 3rd sunday readings,differ, until palm sunday!. Palm sunday, Gospel readings will be different to others(similar to first 2 sundays). This palm sunday, Luke exceptionally tell, about the forgiveness of sins of the thief who was crucified with Jesus. That is why, we have to concentrate about pardoning, forgiveness, and confession of Catholicism,starting with 3rd sunday of lent up to Good Friday.
First 2 sundays of the lent, reminds us, that when we want to know about God's Kingdom(how to use our free will to be happy), we should read Bible,with the correct concept of creation. Then 2nd sunday, you will see that your life, has been led by God(transfiguration). 3rd sunday, you will see, that you lead your life pro actively. You realize the presence of God, in all your actions. You were invited to reflectsunday readings(3 year cycle). 4 th sunday, you were informed that your life is swinging from grace to sin(prodigal son),due to earth bound attractions. How to go back to original life of grace, from sinned life. Value of catholic confession.(Main slogan of christianity-LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKE AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD)
Today is 5 th sunday. You are invited, to
Analyze, about catholic confession.
(1) when you live, you tend to find fault with other, forgetting your own faults
(2)try to punish other, assuming that you are ideal(without having sins with you).
(3)Major characteristics of catholic confession; after confession, you forget the sinful act, and lead your life peaceful and calmly!.
(4)Difference between spiritual confession and civil law.
B. Preamble to today's reading:
B.1.Hand Wash Or Dry Clean?
When your cloth is unclean with stains,you have 2 options.
(1)Clean your self-may not remove strong stains & probably will leave a shadow of stain.
(2)Use a CLEANER-he will remove all dirt(germs/& all stains)of your cloth &get it to shine as it was brand new.
It is sinful to go against 7Ethics of Catholicism (10 comms,7 sacraments, avoid7vices, practise7(each{Corporal+
Prodigal son said to his father "I have sinned against heaven & you". You can say the same to a priest,so that he will clean your sins. A Dry-Cleaner is equipped & trained to clean,which you are not avail of.
You don't have to worry about priest's sins as that is Holy Spirit's job. God assured that Priest can GIVE US SACRAMENTS,in addition pope is infallible for faith+moral issues (WHATEVER YOU BIND ON EARTH,WILL BE BOUND IN HEAVEN-Mt16:20).why other non catholic Christian does not have this?their priest?..
In the parable of prodigal son, elder son represent hand wash-he was with father/he thought he is sin less. His character shows us
(1)hand washing his sins, without his knowledge
(2)he is jealous about his younger brother-
undermining that God can forgive any sins of any human, provided the stipulated conditions for pardoning is satisfied. This represent dry cleaning.
Father (of son/catholic priest) has been trained how to remove sins of his son on behalf of God. This is main function of catholic priest, in addition affording other 6 sacraments (Baptism,communion, confirmation, matrimony,holy orders, last rights)
pl refer Jn 20:23 If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven;
Who is this You? No other person than catholic priest!.
HENCE TO RECEIVE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION CATHOLIC PRIEST IS A MUST!
B.2:
Confession/marriege& Celibacy
Early church,other than most of apostles,all priest were unmarried. Next 1000 yrs,this practice has became law by pope Gregory VII,(in11 Century).
On other hand,Once you are married-"A MAN LEAVE HIS FATHER &MOTHER &BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE.2 WILL BECOME 1BODY.".
When a priest is married&hear confessions, he will have a problem about confidentiality!.(It will be difficult to manage home business)
WHY OTHER CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION's DOES NOT HAVE, CONFESSION PRACTICED BY CATHOLIC CHURCH?
In 16th Century,With formation of Protestants by luther,Celibacy of clergy is1st to go out-Luther,(former)catholic monk,married(former) catholic nun. Then with them,Sacrament of confession practiced by catholic church,also went out, since their priest are allowed to marry!.
Jn20:23 talks about confession, followed by catholic church;"IF U FORGIVE ANYONES SINS,THEIR SINS ARE FORGIVEN".
Christianity main slogan,is God can forgive sins?.What is the process you should follow to realize this?.Holy Spirit has given us sacrament of confession.
In catholic confession-priest will not identify the penitent(person telling his sins)
History of Confession
In 1393,St john Neomucene(saint of confession) was drown in a river,by king Wenceslaus IV,for not revealing his wife's confessional sins.
Up to now, over 2000 years,many priest have left priest hood.(Like luther-main reason: church problem, but main reason underline appears to be marriege/actual situation may be vice versa?)but non of them have ever revealed the secrets,they knew,hearing from confession!-showing the great sign of power of Holy Spirit protecting DIGNITY& SANTITY of Sacrament of penance!
B.3 magical factor in catholic confession!
basic magical factor in Christianity, with the sacrament of confession, nullify effect of sin. This is the essential difference between civil law & spiritual law. Government law is made to safeguard civil society to be peaceful, while spiritual sacraments, makes YOU to be peaceful. Ex: if I kill a person & really repent & have confession. I will be relieved spiritually from that sin & priest who heard my confession cannot divulge the crime to civil society. Only between 3 persons it is strictly confidential(penitent,priest+
Today's reading:
Isaiah(Is 43:16-21) says"
–‘No need to recall the past’ says the Lord.
Paul Phil(3:8-14) says" says "I no longer try for perfection by my efforts/only the perfection through faith/I forget past."
JN(8:1-11) says "To test Jesus they said ‘Master, this woman/caught in-adultery/Law of Moses condemns her/death by stoning/Jesus said ‘who hasn’t sinned, can throw 1st stone’/they went away/Jesus said ‘Neither I condemn U/don't sin anymore”.
Reminds
Basic magical factor in Catholicism,with sacrament of confession
(1)nullify effect of sin
(2)U can forget the sinful act.
Paul& Augustin set examples,to show us,that, when you know,your sins are forgiven,you can forget it & progress your life happily,as if you have not done that sin.
Ex you have stolen money,from your father's pocket,(when you are young):today you see your young son stealing from your pocket: you have confessed that sin &got it pardoned,earlier.
Now you can tell your son"I HAVE NEVER STOLEN MONEY,DON'T STEAL FROM MY POCKET"(catholic mystery)when God can forget why can't you?
TODAY ALL 3 READNGS AIM AT FORGETTING YOUR SINFUL ACTVITY/S, TO LEAD YOUR LIFE HAPPILY, AND, CORRECT FOR A PROSPOROUS SOCIETY. Catholic confession allow you to achieve above.
Conclusions: there are 4 major points you can reflect:
(1)Catholicism have very clear 7 sacraments. These sacraments has to given only by Catholic priest. Out of 7,2 sacraments are matrimony and holy orders. In matrimony, you have additional responsibility to look after your children, while in Holy orders, you have additional responsibility of providing sacraments to laymen. These two functions cannot be combined together and are mutually exclusive. That is why catholic priest cannot marry.
(2)When you are going against to 7 catholic ethics+church rules, it is a sin. Guilt of your sin you can easily erased, with, catholic confession.
For that,
You have to
(1)be really sorry about your sinful act+
(2)determine not to repeat+
(3) forgive sinners, who has sinned against you+
(4)confess to a catholic priest
(5)follow his instruction, to clear your sin!, are the primary conditioned needed to have a proper confession.
(6)Once you have completed the confession, you have to forget about your sinful act, and lead your life,as that sinful act that you have not done!
CATHOLIC CONFESSION IS NOT LICENCE TO SiN
(7)Finally for you to be happy,as guaranteed by God, follow 7 vices+church rules+if you are married-maintain your children(if you are a priest-always ready to provide 7 sacraments)
Your life swing from"not sin"(grace) to sin state, catholic confession allows you to develop calm happy life!
GBU
For more pl visit:
http://
http://www.sundayreading.net/
Or
http://holymaryreflection.
