Reconcile, Reconciliation, Confession, Absolution
See also: Forgiveness, to Forgive, Repentance, Remorse.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation. "Repentance is a form of love. The one who repents says to God through his repentance: 'I cannot remain under the threat of your wrath, because I love you and I want to be loved.'[1]
Absolution, which consists of forgiving sins, is an essential part of the sacrament of Reconciliation. It follows the confession of sins by the penitent.
In "The Gospel as it was revealed to me"[edit | edit source]
The sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)[edit | edit source]
- The cry of the Heart. The confession of the double murderer and the absolution by Jesus.[2]
- Repentance is a form of love. The one who repents says to God through his repentance: "I cannot remain under the threat of your wrath, because I love you and I want to be loved."[3]
- Leave your offering there before the altar, and first go make Peace with your brother.[4]
- Institution of the seven Sacraments: Baptism – Reconciliation – Sacrament of the Sick – Ordination – Marriage – Confirmation – Eucharist.[5]
- Simon the Zealot (Apostle) tells the parable of the vineyard in the middle of the world to illustrate the necessity of the sacrament of reconciliation. John comments: I say that love removes what is humanity and gives you what comes from God and is therefore divine. And something divine can only nourish and sanctify. Day by day love cleanses you of what the world has given you.[6]
- Jesus happy with the confession of Judas.[7]
- When a faithful comes to cry at your feet over the troubles that come from their acts or those of others, you must always keep in mind these seven questions: Who … – What … – Where … – How … – With what and with whom … – Why … – When …[8]
- I have given you the power to forgive sins. But one cannot give what one does not possess. Therefore you must be certain that I possess this power in perfection and I use it for you who must be completely pure to purify those who come to you, stained by sin.[9]
The mental (state) disposition[edit | edit source]
- If you are in a dispute with someone, hurry to agree with him while you are still on the way. This way you will avoid your adversary handing you over to the judge, the judge passing you to the police, and being thrown into prison. (cf. Matthew 5:25-26)[10]
- Reconciliation with a humiliated Woman: Be humble. Take her aside and confess your torment. Tell her you have come to Me because you want God to forgive you. And tell her to forgive you because God's pardon will only be given to you if she asks for it for you and first grants it to you.[11]
In other works of Maria Valtorta[edit | edit source]
Notebooks of 1943[edit | edit source]
Catechesis of August 10, 1943 :
But what have I told you? 'If, at the moment of praying, you remember having offended your brother or that he holds something Against you in his Heart, reconcile first with him and then come.' The essential condition to be heard is not having in your Heart the hatred that kills love. How can you come to me, who am mercy, when you are not merciful? How can you judge and think that I, who am justice, do not judge you? Do you not see that by condemning to hatred those who harm you — and perhaps you were the first [to harm] and not they — you condemn yourselves?[12]
In the Bible[edit | edit source]
So then, we are ambassadors for the Christ, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: be reconciled to God.[13]
In other sources[edit | edit source]
Marian Apparitions of Medjugorje[edit | edit source]
- Message of August 6, 1982: People must be invited to confess every month, especially on the first Saturday. Here, I have not yet spoken. I have invited people to frequent confession. I will still give you concrete messages for our time. Be patient, because the time has not yet come. Do what I tell you. Many do not observe it. The monthly confession will be a remedy for the Church of the West. This message must be conveyed to the West.
- Message of November 7, 1983: Do not confess out of habit, to remain the same afterward. No, that is not Good. Confession must give an impetus to your faith. It must stimulate you and bring you closer to Jesus.