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In Christ, this call to restoration is made perfect -- and possible. - https://catholicphilly.com/2018/01/catholic-spirituality/the-biblical-basis-for-the-sacrament-of-reconciliation" class="svgem" title="Share via Email"><svg width="32px" height="32px" viewBox="0 0 32 32"><desc>Email</desc><g><path d="M16.734,18.692c-0.193,0.152-0.426,0.228-0.658,0.228c-0.238,0-0.477-0.08-0.672-0.238C15.304,18.603,14.105,17.67,0,6.787 v19.848h32V6.753L16.734,18.692z"/><path d="M30.318,5.365H1.643c9.66,7.453,13.152,10.15,14.43,11.143L30.318,5.365z"/></g></svg></a> <a href="http://www.printfriendly.com" onclick="window.print();return false;" class="svgprint" title="Print this story"><svg width="32px" height="32px" viewBox="0 0 32 32"><desc>Print</desc><path d="M26.238,9.174c-0.513,0-1.194,0-1.707,0V2.349H7.468v6.825c-3.925,0-6.826,0-6.826,0v10.238 c0,2.902,2.218,5.119,5.119,5.119h1.707v5.119h17.063v-5.119h6.826V14.293C31.357,11.393,29.14,9.174,26.238,9.174z M9.174,4.055 h13.652v5.119c-4.267,0-9.386,0-13.652,0V4.055z M22.826,27.945H9.174V17.707h10.238h3.414V27.945z"/></svg></a> </div> </div></div> <div id="mainbar"> <div class="single_story_content clearfix" role="main"> <div id="attachment_108568" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 800px"><img class="size-full wp-image-108568" src="https://catholicphilly.com/media-files/2018/01/reconciliation-BIBLE_800.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="546" srcset="https://catholicphilly.com/media-files/2018/01/reconciliation-BIBLE_800.jpg 800w, https://catholicphilly.com/media-files/2018/01/reconciliation-BIBLE_800-240x164.jpg 240w, https://catholicphilly.com/media-files/2018/01/reconciliation-BIBLE_800-796x543.jpg 796w, https://catholicphilly.com/media-files/2018/01/reconciliation-BIBLE_800-415x283.jpg 415w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><p class="wp-caption-text">A mosaic depicting Jesus the Risen Savior, surrounded by his disciples as he pulls Adam and Eve from the depths of hell to salvation, is seen in 2008 at Sacred Heart University’s Chapel of the Holy Spirit in Fairfield, Conn. Human sinfulness and God’s never-ending forgiveness are central themes of the entire Bible, Old and New Testament alike. (CNS photo/Tracy Deer-Mirek, courtesy Sacred Heart)</p></div> <p><span class="story-top-byline sans">By Daniel S. Mulhall • Catholic News Service • Posted January 24, 2018 </span></p><p>Human sinfulness and God’s never-ending forgiveness are central themes of the entire Bible, Old and New Testament alike.</p> <p>Beginning with the sin in the garden in Genesis 3:1-7, through God’s mercy towards Cain, on through the histories and prophets, and then into the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, the story remains the same: We sin, and God calls us back with forgiveness.</p> <p>One of the high holy days in the Jewish year is Yom Kippur, “the Day of Atonement,” described in Leviticus 16:29-30. On this day, people do penance, or atone, for the sins they have committed against God during the past year. Before one can seek atonement with God for the sins committed against another person, one must first seek to right the wrong and be reconciled with that person.</p> <p>[hotblock]</p> <p>Isaiah 58:1-12 beautifully addresses what we are called to do to make amends: We are to recognize our sinfulness and to tell it to others (58:1). Then, we are to act with justice toward those whom we have harmed:</p> <p>“Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking off every yoke? Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own flesh?” (58:6-7) Only then will we be vindicated; only then will we be forgiven (58:8).</p> <p>Jesus picks up this theme in his teaching, especially in the presentation of the beatitudes (Mt 5:3-12, Lk 6:20-45) and when he taught his disciples how to pray: “Forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us” (Lk 11:4, see Mt 6:1-18 and Lk 11:1-13 for the full context).</p> <p>While in his teaching Jesus echoes the beliefs of his Jewish ancestors, something new enters into the equation with his death and resurrection: “The blood of his son Jesus cleanses us from all sin” (1 Jn 1:7).</p> <p>As the International Theological Commission observed in its 1982 statement on penance and reconciliation, “It is not that we reconcile ourselves with God; it is God who through Christ reconciles us to him.”</p> <p>And as 1 John 2:1-2 puts it, “If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world.”</p> <p>While our current practice of individual confession and penance developed after biblical times, there are numerous scriptural passages that support the practice. One in particular stands out.</p> <p>Following his resurrection, Jesus appears to his disciples. After breathing upon them, he said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained” (Jn 20:22-23; see also Mt 18:18).</p> <p>The sacrament of reconciliation encourages us to go and to try to sin no more. This teaching is found also in Ephesians 4:25-32 and 1 John 1:5-10.</p> <p>***</p> <p><em>Mulhall is a catechist living in Louisville, Kentucky.</em></p> </div> <div class="textwidget"><p><style> #supportcatholicphilly a[href*="acceptiva"]{background: #0033ff; top:0; left:0;padding: 13px 38px; border-radius: 15px; font-weight: bold; margin: 20px auto; display: inline-block; font-family: sans-serif;letter-spacing: 0.7px; color: #FFF; border-width: 2px; border-style: solid; background-color: #0033ff;text-align: center; border-top-color: #FFF; border-left-color: #EEE; border-right-color: #AAA; border-bottom-color: #AAA; box-shadow: 1px 1px 2px #333; transition: all 0.1s;} #supportcatholicphilly a[href*="acceptiva"]:hover {background-color: #07269f;border-style: solid;border-width: 2px;border-top-color: #444;border-left-color: #444;border-right-color: #AAA;border-bottom-color: #CCC;position: relative;top: 3px;box-shadow: inset 1px 1px 2px rgba(22,22,22,0.4);color: #ccc;left: 1px;} #supportcatholicphilly{margin-top:30px;border-radius: 10px;border:1px solid #DDD; position:relative;} #xsupportcatholicphilly:before{ position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0px; content: ""; opacity: 0.8; z-index: 1; background-color: #FFF; } #scppad{padding: 20px 40px; z-index: 2; position: relative;} @media screen and (max-width: 600px){#scppad{padding:10px;}} </style> <div id="supportcatholicphilly" class="no-print" style="background:#f5ef00;"><div id="scppad"><h3><strong>Join the CatholicPhilly.com family</strong></h3> <p><strong>CatholicPhilly.com</strong> works to strengthen the connections between people, families and communities every day by delivering the news people need to know about the Catholic Church, especially in the Philadelphia region, and the world in which we live.</p> <p>By your donation in any amount, you and hundreds of other people become part of our mission to inform, form in the Catholic faith and inspire the thousands of readers who visit every month.</p> <p>Here is how you can help:</p> <ul> <li>A $100 gift allows us to present award-winning photos of Catholic life in our neighborhoods.</li> <li>A $50 gift enables us to cover a news event in a local parish, school or Catholic institution.</li> <li>A $20 gift lets us obtain solid faith formation resources that can deepen your spirituality and knowledge of the faith.</li> <li>A small, automated monthly donation means you can support us continually and easily.</li> </ul> <p>Won't you consider making a gift today?</p> <p>Please join in the church's vital mission of communications by offering a gift in whatever amount that you can ― a single gift of $40, $50, $100, or more, or a monthly donation. 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