Set Me Free- The Sacrament of Confession

Transcription

1 Set Me Free- The Sacrament of Confession Prepared by Theresa Simeo Lesson Overview Objectives for deeper understanding The teens will understand the need for continual conversion and will be able to explain the origins of the Sacrament of Confession. They will also be able to explain why it makes sense for us to actually confess our sins to a priest rather than simply go to our rooms and tell God that we are sorry. Objectives for Inviting Learners to a change of heart By unpacking the sacrament as well as the steps of Confession, the teens will not only understand how to make a good Confession, but will have the desire to do so stirred up in their souls. They will know that Christ desires to make them white as snow through this Sacrament. Lesson Details Subject area(s): Religion, Core USCCB Curriculum, Sacraments as Privileged Encounters with Jesus Christ, Moral Theology Grade Level: High School Resource Type: Discussion Guide, Video Special Learners This resource was developed with the following special learners in mind: Traditional Classroom Homeschooled Students CCD/Parish-Based Education

2 Lesson Plan I. Learning Objectives (the participant will ) Objectives for deeper understanding The teens will understand the need for continual conversion and will be able to explain the origins of the Sacrament of Confession. They will also be able to explain why it makes sense for us to actually confess our sins to a priest rather than simply go to our rooms and tell God that we are sorry. Objectives for Inviting Learners to a change of heart By unpacking the Sacrament as well as the steps of Confession, the teens will not only understand how to make a good Confession, but will have the desire to do so stirred up in their souls. They will know that Christ desires to make them white as snow through this sacrament. II. Materials/Resources Needed (textbooks, media/technology, supplies, handouts, etc.): Catechism and Bible for reference, sacred space supplies for the Church (cross, candles, fabric, poster for verse, etc ), copies of Acts of Contrition and Examinations of Conscience, projector and speakers for the PowerPoint and videos, multiple priests for Confession Sophia Sketchpad ( (video) III. Catechetical Foundations: CHRISTOCENTRICITY: What does this topic have to do with Jesus and the love that never ends? This presentation focuses on how Christ desires to free us from sin in order to make us white as snow through the sacrament of Confession (Isaiah 1:18). The saint example emphasizes how nothing we do can ever separate us from the love of God and his forgiveness. SCRIPTURAL DRIVING FORCE: Which foundational passages from Scripture will be used so the teaching relies on God s Word? Isaiah 1:18- ( Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow ) John 1:8 -( If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us ) John 20: (Jesus gives this power to forgive sins to the apostles at the Last Supper) 2 Corinthians 5:17-20-(We become new creations in Christ)

3 PRIMARY CATECHISM SECTIONS: Which texts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church are central to understanding this topic? CCC (Baptism is our initial place for conversion, but we are called to continual conversion) CCC 1440 (Conversion includes both God s forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church) CCC 1448 (the sacrament consists of contrition, confession, and satisfaction) OTHER IMPORTANT RESOURCES: What other creative resources will be helpful in this catechesis? (Textbook pages, websites, other books, maps, movie clips, music, art, stories, newspaper articles, etc.) Acts of Contrition from the Catholic Rites Today Book article about St. Moses the Black John Paul II Center Examinations of Conscience III. Procedure: Preparation (calculated disengagement/prayer) (8 minutes) Sophia Sketchpad: Confession (video) Opening Prayer Proclamation (short, poignant statement of heart/core truth of teaching) (2 minutes) Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow - Isaiah 1:18 God wants to set you free from your sins and he gives us the means, which is the Sacrament of Confession. Explanation (content and method of delivery) (30 minutes) POWERPOINT PRESENTATION

4 A. Origins of Confession -It is true that at Baptism we are freed from all of our sins, but we fall into sin afterwards, John 1:8: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us - Baptism is our initial place for conversion, but we are called to continual conversion (CCC ) -Only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:5-12- Jesus heals the paralytic) - Jesus gives this power to forgive sins to the apostles at the Last Supper (John 20:21-23: binding and loosing ) and this power is passed down through Holy Orders (CCC 1441) -It is through this ministry of reconciliation that we become new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-20) B. Why Confession Makes Sense -Christ gives us the Sacrament of Confession where we have to confess our sins to a priest who is standing in for Christ (in persona Christi) -By confessing our sins we come to terms with what we did and it does remind us of our weakness and God s grace -It is also important to note that as Catholics we are all united as the body of Christ and even though our sins may seem personal or it may seem like we can just confess them to God on our own, the act of going to the Sacrament of Confession is a sign that we realize that the consequences of our sin reach the whole body and we are taking action to restore our relationship with the Church -The Sacrament of Reconciliation accentuates the communal nature of our sinfulness and reconciliation. -The Sacrament of Reconciliation helps us grasp that we are responsible for our lives, for how we think and act. This Sacrament forces us to see that we are not isolated individuals but members of the body of Christ and the human family. Our sin injures that body and violates the integrity of others. Therefore, conversion entails both God s forgiveness and reconciliation with the Church (CCC 1440) C. The Steps of Confession-Overview Contrition - Among the penitent s acts, contrition occupies first place. It is sorrow of the soul and detestation for the sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again (CCC 1450) Examination of Conscience helps us prepare to receive this sacrament

5 Confession -Explain how you start by saying Father bless me for I have sinned. and how you explain when your last confession was -Explain the importance of confessing serious, or mortal sins (and how it is ok if you forget to confess all of your venial sins) -Give the teens a sheet with the different Acts of Contrition that they can use and unpack one or two of them: (From the Catholic Rites Today Book) "Lord Jesus, you chose to be called the friend of sinners. By your saving death and resurrection free me from my sins. May your peace take root in my heart and bring forth a harvest of love, holiness, and truth." Satisfaction -The priest will give you a Penance which you must do to repair the harm caused by sin Example: If you break a window, you not only should apologize but you should buy a new window as well (to repair the harm caused). D. Witness of the Saints -Story of St. Moses the Black: -No sin is too big for Christ to forgive; He wants to make you white as snow! -Emphasize how change happens little by little, and we should not be discouraged Application (of doctrinal topic to personal life and to culture/real world) (12 minutes) Examination of Conscience for Teens: Each teen will receive their own copy of the examination of conscience and will be given time to review it privately

6 Celebration (ending in a place of gratitude and praise) and assignment: (7 minutes) Before heading into the Church for Confession, the teens will listen to Pieces by Red and really pay attention to/meditate on the lyrics, especially how it emphasizes the Good News that Christ makes us whole again: LYRICS: I'm here again, a thousand miles away from you A broken mess, just scattered pieces of who I am I tried so hard, thought I could do this on my own I've lost so much along the way Then I'll see your face, I know I'm finally yours I find everything I thought I lost before You call my name. I come to you in pieces so you can make me whole I've come undone but you make sense of who I am, like puzzle pieces in your eye I tried so hard! So hard! Then I'll see your face, I know I'm finally yours I find everything I thought I lost before You call my name. I come to you in pieces so you can make me whole -Closing Prayer before heading into the Church