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 TOPIC 20.7
WHY THE PENANCE AFTER ABSOLUTION IF GOD HAS ALREADY FORGIVEN ME?

How to Make a Good Confession (III):

The Third Act of the Penitent (Satisfaction)
 WHY THE PENANCE AFTER ABSOLUTION
IF GOD HAS ALREADY FORGIVEN ME?

The Guilt and Punishment What is the Punishment Inner disorder left by Sin
due to Sin due to Sin? in our Hearts

The purpose of the Penance given True Penance heals

in Confession our strong inclination to Evil

The satisfactory value of our penance Is the actual performance of the Penance
derives from the infinite satisfactory value of the Cross. essential for the validity of Confession?
 The Guilt and Punishment
due to Sin
• The personal offense
against God in matter
Guilt
three essential “acts of the penitent”

that is grave
(for mortal sin)
or not grave (for venial sin)
Contrition
in Confession

• “On that day many will say

to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not
We incur
Review

prophesy in your name,

guilt and punishment
whenever we sin.
Mortal and cast out demons
in your name…? And then will I
Cf CCC 1472 Sin declare to them,
‘I never knew you; depart from,
Confession you evil doers.’”
Mt. 7:22-23

• “I know your toil and your patient

endurance, and how you cannot
Venial bear evil men...
But I have this against you,
Sin that you have have abandoned the
love you had at first.”
Rev 2:2-4
Satisfaction Cf. also Rev 3:15-19 on tepidity.
 What is the Punishment
due to Sin?
Punishment of sin
the rupture of our covenant communion with God (for mortal sin);
or the cooling of the ardor of our Love for God and neighbor
(for venial sin), along with the pain, suffering, and inner disorder
that sin brings with it (whether mortal or venial).
◦ a consequence of God’s absolute sovereignty over all creation:
God created all things to be filled with His truth, love, peace, harmony,
and joy (which we must freely welcome by lovingly uniting our will
to His)
Cf. Lk 11:28

Sin injures the sinner himself

and his neighbor, and introduces a disorder into God’s creative plan
that must be rectified.
Cf Gal 6:7-8

◦ the punishment of sin is not an act of vengeance from God

but flows from the very nature of sin, and the reparation
or satisfaction this calls for.
◦ eg., for sins of injustice against neighbor, we must repair
the harm done; e.g., return stolen goods, restore the reputation
of someone slandered, pay compensation for injuries.
Inner disorder left by Sin in our Hearts
Eternal and Temporal Punishment
CCC 1472
for Mortal Sin for Venial Sin
Eternal Punishment Temporal Punishment
• We are rendered incapable • The unhealthy attachment
of eternal life and deprived to creatures
of covenant communion and the disordered passions
with God. and habits that sin leaves behind
• Impairment of our capacity
to love God, ourselves • Needs to be purified
and our neighbor. either on Earth or in Purgatory
• Absolution in Confession takes
away the guilt • The temporal punishment
of mortal sin due venial sin is remitted depending on
and the eternal punishment due to how perfect
mortal sin, our contrition is.
but, depending on the quality of Cf. Apoc 2:2-5; 3:15-19
our contrition,
it does not usually remit
all the temporal punishment that is
due it.
Cf. 2 Sam 12:10-14
 The purpose
of the Penance
given in Confession
CCC 1459

Since our contrition is often not as perfect

as it should be, there normally remains
some temporal punishment
for forgiven mortal and venial sins

◦ The penance or satisfaction given in Confession

is intended to help us obtain remission
for at least part of the temporal punishment
due to forgiven mortal and venial sins.

◦ The sacramental penance given in Confession

is reducible to three kinds: prayer, fasting
(and other acts of self-denial), and almsgiving.
◦ they contribute to healing the inner disorder sin has left in us
and in our relationships with God and neighbor.
True Penance heals our strong inclination to Evil
The inner moral disorder left by original sin and reinforced
by personal sins comprise the three-fold concupiscence
cf 1 Jn 2:16

Almsgiving Fasting Prayer

(or the corporal and spiritual works of charity) acts of self-denial patiently bearing our daily trials & annoyances

To combat: To combat: To combat:

Lust of the eyes –avarice, excessive craving Lust of the flesh Pride of life – disordered love
for creature comforts gluttony, sloth, laziness for one’s own excellence

the penance the confessor imposes considers the penitent’s personal situation and only seeks his spiritual good,
as well as the gravity and nature of sins committed
Cf. CCC 1460
 The satisfactory value
of our penance
derives from the infinite satisfactory
value of the Cross
Our need to offer satisfaction does not detract from the infinite satisfactory value of Jesus’
Passion and Death for our sins but rather highlights its salvific power

◦ The infinite merits of Jesus’ Passion are applied to each one to the degree
that we carry the cross through a life of penance and atonement, for our sins
and those of others.
Cf. Mt 16:24-25; Col 1:24

◦ Jesus took upon Himself all the punishment due to our sins (cf 2 Cor 5:21),
so that , through a life of penance and expiation, we might receive the grace
to offer God the Love that we failed to offer God by offending Him.

“Man has nothing of which to boast, but all our boasting is in Christ
in whom we make satisfaction by bringing fruits that befit repentance.
These fruits have their efficacy from Him, by Him they are offered to the Father, and
through Him are accepted by the Father.”
CCC 1460
 Is the actual performance
of the Penance essential
for the validity of Confession?
The forgiveness of sins takes place immediately
after sacramental absolution is given
what is essential to the sacrament is the willingness to offer satisfaction; without it, a
genuine desire for reconciliation is absent.

Once we accept the penance, we have the duty to fulfill it.

The best time is as soon as possible,
accompanied by thanksgiving for the Confession.

If the penance consists of some prayer,

we would do well to perform it right after Confession,
preferably in Church or in some other suitable place.

Should we omit our penance through forgetfulness or procrastination,

we should mention it in our next Confession.
 TOPIC 20.7
WHY THE PENANCE AFTER ABSOLUTION IF GOD HAS ALREADY FORGIVEN ME?

How to Make a Good Confession (III):

The Third Act of the Penitent (Satisfaction)