The Thomistic Institute Salvation for Sinful Christians: The Sacrament of Confession | Father Dominic Langevin, O.P.
Jan 26, 2024
Father Dominic Langevin, O.P. discusses the sacrament of confession, distinguishing between venial and mortal sins. The importance of examining one's conscience and acts of sin is explored. The concept of forgiveness and the role of confession in Christianity are highlighted, along with the biblical sources and ministers of the sacrament. Seeking Christ's mercy through confession and the grace of forgetting are emphasized.
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The Fourfold Structure Of The Sacrament
- The sacrament unfolds as contrition, confession, satisfaction, and priestly absolution leading to reconciliation.
- Father Dominic maps this movement visually: penitent's sorrow + priest's absolution produce forgiveness and sanctifying grace.
Sacraments Are Soul Saving Power Tools
- Confessing privately to God alone is possible but uncertain; sacraments are reliable 'power tools' God gave to speed our sanctification.
- He argues salvation history shows God chose physical, costly means (Incarnation, sacraments) to effect forgiveness.
Forgiveness Is A Communal Ministry Entrusted To The Church
- Scripture gives apostles and successors authority to bind and loose, establishing a communal ministry of reconciliation.
- Father Dominic cites Matthew 16, Matthew 18, and John 20 to show forgiveness is entrusted to the church's ministers.