Published in the bulletin of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Knoxville, TN, on the 3rd Sunday of Advent.

My dear Parishioners,

Peace! There are twenty-three (23) passages in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and five (5) canons in the Code of Canon Law which can help us to appreciate the Sacrament of Penance. The following is a reflection on CCC 1855.

Six considerations help us to appreciate the need we have for the Sacrament of Penance, three addressing mortal sin, two addressing venial sin, and one regarding our ultimate end.

First we should recall that mortal sin destroys charity in the human heart. If we recall that “God is love” (Deus Caritas Est) this is a very stark teaching (cf. 1 John 4:16). The life of God in us is snuffed out by our mortal sin(s). In the Sacrament of Penance, when we confess our sins with sorrow in our hearts and receive absolution, God in His great mercy, restores in our hearts the grace of charity.

Second we should recall that mortal sin is committed by a grave infraction of the Law of God. When we confess our sins in the Sacrament of Penance we follow God’s law of mercy, submitting ourselves anew to His gentle yoke.
Third, we should recall that mortal sin turns us away from God. It is not enough to recognize the destruction of charity in our hearts caused by mortal sin. By choosing to sin grievously we choose poorly against following Jesus Christ who is “the way, the truth and the life” (cf. John 14:6).

Fourth, we should always recall that God is our ultimate end and our beatitude. Because of God’s omniscience (all knowing attribute) He foresees our need for post-baptismal repentance. The Sacrament of Penance is here in order for us to get to Heaven, to spend all eternity with God who has made us for Himself. Whenever we sin we prefer something which is not God to God, which is disordered. When we make a good confession we recognize God’s good order and reject sin and Satan and the glamour of evil. Apart from God and His plan for us any happiness is only apparent and passing.

Fifth, we should recall that while venial sin does allow charity to subsist in the human heart it nevertheless offends God and His holiness. This is to say we should avoid even venial sin as best we can, thanks to God’s grace at work in us.

Finally, we should recall that venial sin as an offense against God wounds our relationship with Him. One problem with venial sin is that it desensitizes us to sin. The Chinese method of torture and execution ling chih or “death by a thousand cuts” comes to mind here. Countless venial sins never add up to a single mortal sin, the coarseness of our hearts increase through repeated venial sin. The Lord Jesus has given us a remedy in the Sacrament of Penance to combat post-baptismal sin in our lives so as to be pleasing in His sight.

God bless you!

Father John Arthur Orr