Liturgy November
Conscious that we are sinners, we recognize the place of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in our lives (Const. 19.4).
A great controversy arose in the early Church: can sins committed after Baptism be forgiven? There were Christians who denied that possibility. But there were others who remembered the teaching of Jesus about forgiveness, particularly in the parable of the Prodigal Son. Their merciful opinion won out. During the first two centuries, the community allowed the possibility for conversion once in a life-time after Baptism for cases of serious sin. Everything was arranged in a public manner. Heavy penances for life were imposed as the condition for absolution. With the persecutions of the third century, penances became less severe, but the same limit of a once in a lifetime conversion prevailed. Lent was originated as the time to prepare catechumens for Baptism and for the reconciliation of sinners. In the sixth century, the program of private reconciliation without limit was developed by Celtic missionaries. This system has survived to the present day. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the gesture of Christ made by the Christian community for the reconciliation of sinners with God and the community, particularly in cases of grave sin. The Sacrament requires conversion marked by sincere contrition, personal confession of sins and satisfaction through an act of penance. Blessed be the God of forgiveness!
When your friend calls you, try to go, even if it means limping. (Mongo)
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