In this chapter it emphasized the importance of Reconciliation. I agree with Matthew Kelly that people no longer think of the Sacrament of Reconciliation as an important sacrament. I have heard many say that they talk directly to God about their sins. We have forgotten the importance of the job of the priest, who is there to absolve our sins in Jesus' name. Through Reconciliation each of us is able to re-ignite our passion for excellence in the spiritual life. I now have a better understanding of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. "Grace heals the wounds that sins have created." I realize I need to take a more active part in this sacrament. When I receive absolution it is a cleansing and also strengthening experience. Which will help me be the best person I can be.
When we think about ourselves we can readily identify our weaknesses and our strengths. I liked how he challenges each of us to turn our weaknesses into strengths. This brings them to light and asks us to work on them so we can become 'the best version of ourselves" It was interesting reading about TIger Wood and Michael Jordan. I knew some it because Larry had mentioned it to me but it really shows how we too should take something that we aren't so good at, practice to get better, and move it to be a strength. I also found the section about reconciliation important. I am "older" and I can remember going to reconciliation once a month and the value my family and school put on this sacrament. However in today's world we don't do that. We haven't shown the children of 2000's how important it is to not only ask God for forgiveness but to recieve that absolution for our sins. There were two quotes on the last two pages I really liked== "Reconciliation is a gift. Behold the beauty. Embrace the treasure" and "Get to know yourself, and every relationship in your live will improve" These are definitely things to think about!!
It is true that the Sacrament of Reonciliation has taken a backseat in the Catholic Church. I am going to be the first one to admit that I am guilty of not going to Reconciliation regularly and as I look back it basically has to do with going to confess my sins face to face with a priest. The part that struck me was: do not think of it as confessing your sins to a priest, think of it as confessing your sins to Christ alive in that priest. Since teaching 3rd grade, being a role model for my students I have sucked up my fears and began to go to Reconciliation more often. I have found that I am more at peace with myself and it has cleansed my soul leading me to pray/meditate more often in hopes that I am trying to be the best person that I can be.
I thought it was really sad to read in the introduction to part 3 how the author felt the "great tragedy of modern Catholicism is that, as Catholics, we are not considered a spiritual people." That should be a wake-up call for all Catholics to take a look at how we do or don't praise God in everything we do.
The part that struck me about Catholics not feeling Reconciliation is important had to do with the author talking about assessing our strengths and weaknesses. I think that it can be much easier to focus in on what strengths we have than to admit to our weaknesses. To go to reconciliation means we have to get honest with what makes us weak and admit to it, which is very difficult to do. For myself it is scary to admit to what weaknesses cause me to hurt others and myself. Who likes to admit they're wrong?
While I read the twelfth chapter, there were a few points that really stuck out to me. First, I agree that we need to recognize our weaknesses because once we do, we will be able to work on them and, hopefully, turn them into strengths. We are able to change.
Second, I agree that Reconciliation is very important, but I find myself not going as often as I should. This is why the analogy of washing the car often is very true. When we wash our cars often, we strive to keep them clean, but they tend to get dirty again. When we go to Reconciliation, we cleanse our souls, but if we don’t go often, our sins pile up.
The part that blew my mind was the myth that there is no such thing as sin. We are all sinners; nobody’s perfect. Another statement that blew my mind was that we only need to attend Reconciliation if we have made a mortal sin. I believe that a venial sin is just as important to apologize for as a mortal sin.
Lastly, I loved how the author talked about standing in the presence of God. “The only thing that has value in that moment is character – the light within you. Who we become is infinitely more important than what we do or what we have.” I believe that as humans, we can get caught up in what we do or what we have; our character is what matters. As Catholics, we should let the light within us shine.
I recognize the uncomfortable feeling confessing brings, yet the great feeling it brings after the confession is complete! This chapter reminded me of this great fact and I feel encouraged to do so in my life.
I've often wondered why 2nd grade is considered the age to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation, why it hasn't been changed the way Confirmation has. With Jenna preparing to receive the sacrament soon, I am scared to death because I have a feeling it is going to be one of those situations that totally flips her out. The argument could be that it is because they are so young--it sounds as if many of us adults have a lot of apprehension about receiving this sacrament and probably wouldn't if it happened for the first time later in life. But obviously receiving it at a young age doesn't make a lasting impression either, as many Catholics later abandon the practice. Rediscovering Catholicism and changing the course of our faith seems to be such an incredibly daunting task!
The word reconciliation or to reconcile is an easy enough word yet conjures mix emotions for most adults. To admit ones faults in front of a priest is tough. Having taught second grade religious education for many years, this seems to be the feeling for the majority of the people. They want their child to receive this sacrament and yet they are uncomfortable to model/practice it for their child. Yes we are all sinners and need to wash these from our souls to be in good standing for the sacrament of Eucharist. Recognizing ones faults was easy enough for the young ones and their willingness to confess, always was a beautiful experience. To start again with a clean slate is an awesome feeling. I believe people just forgot how good it feels to have Jesus forgive us through reconciliation.
I am guilty of not going to reconciliation very often. I have to agree with Abby that thee thought of confessing all of my wrong-doings to a priest is intimidating. If I went to reconciliation more, it would make me take closer look at the person I truly am. It would probably help me to form better habits and become a batter person overall.
"God does not want you to feel bad or guilty about yourself, he wanted you to become the best version of yourself." I think this is true. I don't think God is out to catch you doing something not worthy of him. I think he likes when you talk to him and try to work through the tough things life has to throw at you.
Going to reconciliation does make people feel uneasy and uncomfortable. It is imtimidating. However, I also know that after I go to confession, I feel much better. I like how Matthew Kelly related reconciliation to washing a car. The feeling I get after confession should be powerful enough for me to want to go to reconciliation on a regular basis.
In this chapter it emphasized the importance of Reconciliation. I agree with Matthew Kelly that people no longer think of the Sacrament of Reconciliation as an important sacrament. I have heard many say that they talk directly to God about their sins. We have forgotten the importance of the job of the priest, who is there to absolve our sins in Jesus' name. Through Reconciliation each of us is able to re-ignite our passion for excellence in the spiritual life.
ReplyDeleteI now have a better understanding of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. "Grace heals the wounds that sins have created." I realize I need to take a more active part in this sacrament. When I receive absolution it is a cleansing and also strengthening experience. Which will help me be the best person I can be.
When we think about ourselves we can readily identify our weaknesses and our strengths. I liked how he challenges each of us to turn our weaknesses into strengths. This brings them to light and asks us to work on them so we can become 'the best version of ourselves" It was interesting reading about TIger Wood and Michael Jordan. I knew some it because Larry had mentioned it to me but it really shows how we too should take something that we aren't so good at, practice to get better, and move it to be a strength.
ReplyDeleteI also found the section about reconciliation important. I am "older" and I can remember going to reconciliation once a month and the value my family and school put on this sacrament. However in today's world we don't do that. We haven't shown the children of 2000's how important it is to not only ask God for forgiveness but to recieve that absolution for our sins.
There were two quotes on the last two pages I really liked==
"Reconciliation is a gift. Behold the beauty. Embrace the treasure"
and "Get to know yourself, and every relationship in your live will improve" These are definitely things to think about!!
It is true that the Sacrament of Reonciliation has taken a backseat in the Catholic Church. I am going to be the first one to admit that I am guilty of not going to Reconciliation regularly and as I look back it basically has to do with going to confess my sins face to face with a priest. The part that struck me was: do not think of it as confessing your sins to a priest, think of it as confessing your sins to Christ alive in that priest. Since teaching 3rd grade, being a role model for my students I have sucked up my fears and began to go to Reconciliation more often. I have found that I am more at peace with myself and it has cleansed my soul leading me to pray/meditate more often in hopes that I am trying to be the best person that I can be.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was really sad to read in the introduction to part 3 how the author felt the "great tragedy of modern Catholicism is that, as Catholics, we are not considered a spiritual people." That should be a wake-up call for all Catholics to take a look at how we do or don't praise God in everything we do.
ReplyDeleteThe part that struck me about Catholics not feeling Reconciliation is important had to do with the author talking about assessing our strengths and weaknesses. I think that it can be much easier to focus in on what strengths we have than to admit to our weaknesses. To go to reconciliation means we have to get honest with what makes us weak and admit to it, which is very difficult to do. For myself it is scary to admit to what weaknesses cause me to hurt others and myself. Who likes to admit they're wrong?
While I read the twelfth chapter, there were a few points that really stuck out to me. First, I agree that we need to recognize our weaknesses because once we do, we will be able to work on them and, hopefully, turn them into strengths. We are able to change.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I agree that Reconciliation is very important, but I find myself not going as often as I should. This is why the analogy of washing the car often is very true. When we wash our cars often, we strive to keep them clean, but they tend to get dirty again. When we go to Reconciliation, we cleanse our souls, but if we don’t go often, our sins pile up.
The part that blew my mind was the myth that there is no such thing as sin. We are all sinners; nobody’s perfect. Another statement that blew my mind was that we only need to attend Reconciliation if we have made a mortal sin. I believe that a venial sin is just as important to apologize for as a mortal sin.
Lastly, I loved how the author talked about standing in the presence of God. “The only thing that has value in that moment is character – the light within you. Who we become is infinitely more important than what we do or what we have.” I believe that as humans, we can get caught up in what we do or what we have; our character is what matters. As Catholics, we should let the light within us shine.
I recognize the uncomfortable feeling confessing brings, yet the great feeling it brings after the confession is complete! This chapter reminded me of this great fact and I feel encouraged to do so in my life.
ReplyDeleteI've often wondered why 2nd grade is considered the age to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation, why it hasn't been changed the way Confirmation has. With Jenna preparing to receive the sacrament soon, I am scared to death because I have a feeling it is going to be one of those situations that totally flips her out. The argument could be that it is because they are so young--it sounds as if many of us adults have a lot of apprehension about receiving this sacrament and probably wouldn't if it happened for the first time later in life. But obviously receiving it at a young age doesn't make a lasting impression either, as many Catholics later abandon the practice. Rediscovering Catholicism and changing the course of our faith seems to be such an incredibly daunting task!
ReplyDeleteThe word reconciliation or to reconcile is an easy enough word yet conjures mix emotions for most adults. To admit ones faults in front of a priest is tough. Having taught second grade religious education for many years, this seems to be the feeling for the majority of the people.
ReplyDeleteThey want their child to receive this sacrament and yet they are uncomfortable to model/practice it for their child. Yes we are all sinners and need to wash these from our souls to be in good standing for the sacrament of Eucharist. Recognizing ones faults was easy enough for the young ones and their willingness to confess, always was a beautiful experience. To start again with a clean slate is an awesome feeling.
I believe people just forgot how good it feels to have Jesus forgive us through reconciliation.
I am guilty of not going to reconciliation very often. I have to agree with Abby that thee thought of confessing all of my wrong-doings to a priest is intimidating. If I went to reconciliation more, it would make me take closer look at the person I truly am. It would probably help me to form better habits and become a batter person overall.
ReplyDelete"God does not want you to feel bad or guilty about yourself, he wanted you to become the best version of yourself." I think this is true. I don't think God is out to catch you doing something not worthy of him. I think he likes when you talk to him and try to work through the tough things life has to throw at you.
ReplyDeleteGoing to reconciliation does make people feel uneasy and uncomfortable. It is imtimidating. However, I also know that after I go to confession, I feel much better. I like how Matthew Kelly related reconciliation to washing a car. The feeling I get after confession should be powerful enough for me to want to go to reconciliation on a regular basis.
ReplyDelete