God's Initiative in The Praxis Of the Sacrament of Reconciliation An Interpretation of Hosea's Story and The Parables Of Luke 15
Date
2004
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the main reason for this research. In
order to understand in a better way this sacrament of the mercy of God, I thought of
presenting the biblical perspective of the reality behind our rituals and practices in
regard to this sacrament, namely the grace of God that is offered to everyone and
that precedes any act of conversion.
One of the main reasons why I chose this topic is the crisis I have seen in
regard to this sacrament. Both penitents and ministers in some ways seem to have
lost sight of the mysteries behind this sacrament.
I believe that the knowledge of the biblical background of this sacrament can
help us to understand in a better way that God is at work in reconciling the world to
himself through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit; and therefore the
Sacrament of Reconciliation is the privileged place of meeting with the mercy of
God. He is the one who prompts each one of us to come back to him to welcome us
as he did with the prodigal son.
Obviously, this essay is not a thorough research on the biblical and
theological foundations of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, not even a presentation
of its fundamental truths, but a presentation of one basic truth: the initiative of God
who, having entered into a relationship with humanity in the person of Jesus Christ,
constantly looks towards humanity to restore us to his friendship and love any time we go away from him deceived by the Evil One, as it happened to our forefathers in
the text of Genesis.
In brief, the way I present this topic is as follows: in Chapter I the main
purpose is to underline the story of ilosea as the best example of God's faithful love
for Israel despite Israel's unfaithfulness. In Chapter II, the three stories of Luke
chapter 15 give to the understanding of God's love for humanity an additional
element: God's joy when a sinner repents. Finally, in Chapter III the main purpose is
to compare the findings of Chapters I and II with the theology of the Sacrament of
Reconciliation. In order to do so, 1 briefly present some basic ideas regarding the
sacrament.
One of the most amazing mysteries of all times is the creation of the world
and human beings. I find particularly interesting the way God conies to meet
humanity. He created man and woman to live in communion with him, nevertheless
sin put a division between the Creator and the creatures. Despite this situation God
has constantly been looking for ways to restore this communion with humanity. The
history of Israel is, therefore, the most impressive story of this passionate God who
loves humanity with steadfast love.
The story of Hosea a witness to this reality as follows. First, God's love for
humanity is steadfast in spite of humanity's sinfulness. Second, humanity's
sinfulness is clearly portrayed in Gomer's unfaithfulness. Third, God's merciful love
for the people of Israel comes to rescue them from the misery they have reached by
forgetting the Lord. Fourth. Israel needs to accept God's love and respond to him in
faithfulness and truth. Chapter 11 deals with God's love for his people that in the person and
ministry of Jesus Christ has reached its best expression. In the same way that God
visited his people in the person of Hosea, two thousand years ago in the person of
Jesus Christ God the Father continued visiting his people prompting them to
conversion.
God the Father who through Jesus Christ reaches out to sinners is the 'Good
Shepherd of Israel. Jesus who is the image of the Father showed sinners the depths
of God's love for all. The novelty of Luke's gospel in regard to God's love for
humanity is the element of 'joy' which the evangelist stresses in chapter 15.
Finally, Chapter III combines the themes of the first two chapters in order to
present the Sacrament of Reconciliation as the up-to-date version of God's love for
humanity. A brief presentation of this sacrament is done in order to acknowledge the
Catholic understanding of this sacrament and its importance in the economy of
salvation.
Putting together the main ideas of Chapters I and 11 it is possible to see that
in the history of humanity everything is a gratuitous intervention of God on our
behalf. God never gives up in inviting us to live in full communion with him. In the
person of Jesus Christ, humanity has experienced the depths of God's loving mercy.
After Jesus, the Church continues this work of mercy and administers the graces of
God following Jesus' command to bind and loose.
The ministry of reconciliation as exercised by Jesus of Nazareth is a constant
reminder to priests that God is at work through Jesus Christ in the power of the
Spirit moving people's hearts to come back to him and thus be reconciled with him
and neighbour through the ministry of the Church.
Description
Keywords
Praxis, Sacrament of Reconciliation, Hosea's Story, Hosea's Story, Parables Of Luke 15