Day 204: Summary of Sacrament of Reconciliation

The sacrament of Penance is a whole consisting in three actions of the penitent and the priest's absolution. the penitent's acts are repentance, confession, or disclosure of sins to the priest, and the intention to make reparation and do works of reparation. CCC 1491

Today's reading from the Catechism is an "In Brief" for all that has been covered over the past few days on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. I have nothing more to add to what has already been said.

I did, however, like this commentary from the Catechism Companion, Vol II on the sacrament:

Our perspective on Confession reflects our hearts - pride or gratitude. Confession allows us to humbly surrender our sins and receive God's infinite mercy through the ministry of the priest and the Church. Hatred of sin is crucial, as there is no greater evil with more harmful results for individuals, the Church, and all humanity. Sin is worse than suffering or death... Confession makes us stronger as we fight sin, just like the Eucharist. We should pray for God's help to be warriors against sin, asking him to be our shield. (p. 172)

I also found this part quite thought-provoking, especially on trusting God:

Jesus, in his mercy, came to remind us that the light of truth is not our enemy. He called us to love the light, to come into the light and live in it. Those who choose to remain in the darkness do so because they do not want their deeds to be seen. In the end, this refusal to come into the light is the result of the mistaken belief that God's truth will ruin their lives; it is lack of trust that God only wants what is good for us. This is the same lie the Serpent told Adam and Eve in the Garden, leading them to commit the first sin. But, as the Catechism insists, God is the fullness of loving truth (see CCC 214), and we only hurt ourselves by refusing to know - and live by - that truth. (p. 173).