LESSON 18

THE LORD BRINGS US BACK TO THE FATHER THROUGH THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

CAMERON, CAMERA
After dinner last night Tonys mother could tell that Tony was upset about something. She asked, Whats wrong, Tony?

Well, Cameron doesnt like it when we tease him and call him Camera. Some of the older players of the soccer team were calling him that.

I joined in laughing at him and saying, Take my picture, Camera. Cameron really got upset. He wouldnt walk home with me; he said he didnt want to talk to me.

Tonys mother looked at him and asked, You do know why your friend is upset, dont you?

Tony nodded and said, I wanted the older boys to like me, but I hurt my friends feelings instead. Hell never be my friend again.

You cant know that until you talk to him, said Tonys mother. But I dont know what to say, Tony objected.

Tony, said his mother. If Cameron hurt your feelings, what would you want him to say to you? You two have been friends for a long time.

I think you can find the right words. If you are truly sorry, you will know what to say.

Tony smiled. Youre right, Mom. Hes my best friend. I shouldnt be afraid to tell him how sorry I am. May I call him and talk to him right now?

Tonys mom nodded her head. Tony raced to the phone and started dialing. He told his friend, Im sorry Cameron. I promise never to tease you about your name again.

Have you ever had a similar experience like Tony? Tony? What did you do?

What did you tell the person that you hurt?

Forgiveness is very important when we relate with others. When we are forgiven or when we forgive others, we feel happy and at peace.

PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP

LUKE 15:4-6

There was a shepherd who took care of one hundred sheep. One day one of the sheep wandered away.

The shepherd left the other ninetynine sheep. He searched for the lost one until he found it. The shepherd put the sheep on his shoulders and carried it.

When he got home, he called together his friends. He said, Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.

What happened to one of the sheep? sheep? What did the shepherd do?

How did the shepherd feel after he found the lost sheep?

In the story, who do you think is the Good Shepherd? Who are the sheep? The lost sheep?

Why do we call Jesus our Good Shepherd?

Sin separates us from God and from one another. Like the sheep, we wander away from God and we think only of ourselves.

We are like the lost sheep when we sin. When we sin, we are not at peace with God, with others and with ourselves.

How did Jesus show that He is our Good Shepherd?

Jesus brings us back to the Father by forgiving our sins.

How does this happen?

This happens when the priest forgives us through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

What does reconciliation mean?

The word reconciliation" means coming back or together again.

Through this sacrament, Jesus brings us back to the Father by giving us His loving forgiveness.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the sacrament where we receive and celebrate Gods forgiveness through the priest.

During His time, Jesus shared with His apostles His power to forgive sins.

Aside from the priests, who do you think are the people whom Jesus gave the power to forgive our sins today?

Today, bishops and priests are given the power to forgive sins in Gods name.

When we receive Gods forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are also reconciled with the Church.

How does this happen?

When we tell our sins to the priest, it is Jesus who listens to us. And when the priest forgives us, it is the loving forgiveness of Jesus that we receive.

REFLECTION God is a loving and a forgiving Father. He never gives up on us... Do we believe in Gods loving God forgiveness?

When was the last time you said sorry to God in your prayer? When was the last time you forgave someone who hurt you? How did it feel like?

ACTION After we have been forgiven, we try our best to love God and others. What do you promise to do now?

We must be willing to also forgive others because forgiveness is a gift which is meant to be shared with others.

Short Prayer

During His time, Jesus shared with His apostles His power to forgive sins. Today, bishops and priests are given the power to forgive sins in Gods name.

When we tell our sins to the priest, it is Jesus who listens to us. And when the priest forgives us, it is the loving forgiveness of Jesus that we receive.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation has four main parts:

f Contrition when we feel sorry

for the sins we have done f Confession when we tell our sins to the priest

f Penance when we pray or do

some acts of love to make up for our sins f Absolution when we are given the sign of Gods forgiveness

The Sacrament of Reconciliation makes us friends again with God and with others.

Through this sacrament, we become united once again with God and with Gods people, the Church.

Once forgiven, we are now ready to start all over again. We continue to grow in friendship with God and with others.