SMJ U4: Reconciliation/Anointing

Question 1

What are the three reasons that only a Priest can administer the sacrament of confession?

Answer 1

1. Bound by seal of the confessional, prohibited by Canon law from sharing what was said.
2. Priest represents human community who sin negatively affects.
3. Priest represents the person of Christ, en persona Christi.

Question 2

What are the three common elements of reconciliation?

Answer 2

1. Admittance of guilt.
2. Interior and exterior guilt.
3. Assurance of forgiveness.

Question 3

What is the definition of penance?

Answer 3

Authentic interior turning away from sinful attitudes and actions.

Question 4

What is the definition of Metanoia?

Answer 4

A conversion or change of heart.

Question 5

What scriptural sources are there that show penitential practices in the Old Testament?

Answer 5

Book of Leviticus describes the rituals and practices of Yom Kipoor, centered on atonement and repentance, consisting of full fasting and ascetic behavior accompanied by intensive prayer as well as sin confessions.

Question 6

Be able to explain what is meant by “binding and loosing” as it relates to reconciliation in early Christian communities.

Answer 6

“Binding” is the ancient world’s grounding, kicked out of the community. “Loosing” is letting someone back in the community after a certain time has passed.

Question 7

Why did the teaching of the second coming of Christ present a problem to the development of the sacrament of reconciliation?

Answer 7

After Jesus left, the people thought that Jesus was coming back immediately, and thought that Jesus would help them with their sins. They realized that Jesus was not coming back soon so they needed a long term way to forgive sin.

Question 8

When was public penitence most desired and why?

Answer 8

After periods of religious persecution. People who denounce their faith want to be let back in; think of Silence.

Question 9

How did the local bishops differ from a rigorist approach regarding reconciliation/penance?

Answer 9

Rigorist believes that you need strict, harsh penalties so you don’t sin again, sometimes kicked out of the community.
Local bishops were more willing to work with the sinners to bring them back in.

Question 10

What are the four reasons that explain why individual Christians began to avoid seeking public penance?

Answer 10

1. They often had harsh penalties.
2. Social stigma, announcing sins to the public.
3. Only received once in your lifetime.
4. Restrictions would be placed on their lives.
   EX: If you had lustful thoughts about women, you could not fornicate with thy wife for 7 years.

Question 11

What is the difference between “imperfect” and “perfect” contrition?

Answer 11

Perfect Contrition - You won’t be caught but you are genuinely racked by guilt and you genuinely want to improve yourself as a person; you sincerely feel bad about what you did so you ask God for forgiveness
Imperfect Contrition - Confesses because you are worried about the consequences, Heaven or Hell, fear of divine consequences.

Question 12

What scriptural source is used to support the validity of the sacrament of anointing?

Answer 12

The letter of james.

Question 13

What is the importance of the “laying on of hands” in regards to anointing?

Answer 13

The apostles lay hands on the people who he healed. Imitate Jesus.

Question 14

How does the sacrament of anointing fit in the broader context of pastoral care? In other words, the sacrament is a reminder to give preferential care to which kinds of people?

Answer 14

Give love and care for the elderly, the vulnerable, and the poor.

Question 15

What is “viaticum” and who is it for?

Answer 15

Food for the journey, the eucharist eaten when you are dying.

Question 16

What does the oil used during anointing reflect?

Answer 16

The oil represents the Holy Spirit.

Question 17

Is the oil wiped off or removed?

Answer 17

Not wiped off immediately.

Question 18

In the modern era, what parts of the body are anointed with oil?

Answer 18

They anoint your hands and forehead. Used to anoint the senses.

Question 19

Who can receive the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick?

Answer 19

A baptized Catholic, reached the age of reason, began to be in danger from illness of old age, or underwent further crisis.
Examples: dangerously ill; before surgery when necessitated by dangerous illness; elderly people if significantly weak though not dangerously ill; sick children sufficiently mature to be comforted by sacrament; sick people who have had lost consciousness or use of reason if they would have requested it had they been able.

Question 20

Can the anointing of the sick be administered more than once? If so, how?

Answer 20

A person can receive the sacrament as many times as needed throughout his or her life, and a person with a chronic illness might be anointed again if the disease worsens.

Question 21

Who can administer the sacrament of the anointing of the sick?

Answer 21

A priest.

Question 22

What are the five graces that are effects of the sacrament of anointing?

Answer 22

1. the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ.
2. the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age.
3. the forgiveness of sins, if the person was not able to receive the sacrament of penance.
4. the restoration of health if conducive to the salvation of the soul.
5. the preparation for passing over to eternal life.