Can there really be such a thing? In all our endeavors and mission, could one sacrament receive such a label? Cardinal Timothy Dolan suggested that it was Reconciliation in the recent Synod on the New Evangelization, while Cardinal Donald Wuerl likewise elaborates in his new book New Evangelization, which details some of the Synod findings.
Without diminishing our need for the other sacraments, Cardinal Wuerl elaborates on Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Perhaps one can make a case for Eucharist being the Sacrament of the New Evangelization. However, I do believe there is something compelling here for us to reflect upon the idea that Reconciliation is the Sacrament of the New Evangelization.
As the New Evangelization broadens our horizons to evangelize non-Catholics and Catholics alike; nones & even the unevangelized Mass-goers; Reconciliation as the Sacrament of the New Evangelization begins to make more sense. We are encouraged to have the ambition to draw any fallen away Catholics within our reach, back into the one sheepfold of the one shepherd Christ. If the practical implications of that ambition are acknowledged, we know that there is still SIN!
Yes, messy, broken, and shameful sin. We are used to grieving it and starting over. It is on our mind when we begin Mass. It is at the forefront of our attention at Lent. Having come to where we are in our faith, we are confident in God’s mercy for us. We know that God is waiting to shower grace upon us.
The mood is not so simple when we veer outside the Confession Box. As has been said of our day, “Everything is permitted, and nothing is forgiven.” The gossip tabloid hecklers are merciless. There is no public mistake that will not forever erase a lifetime of generosity, let alone our private ones, psychologically damaging ourselves with our mental gymnastics to cleverly justify our wickedness.
And so what? Tell someone that God forgives everyone, all the time? So what! Tell them a Bible verse or a Catechism quote that authoritatively declares God’s forgiveness absolutely, albeit generally.
But what about that one secret sin gnawing their conscience? What about that? What about there actual real sin, committed by them in particular at one specific point in time?
It is not enough that the sick person receive generic treatment, but that the sick person receive appropriate medicinal care to deal with their own specific ailment. That their sin, as a poison, be drawn out of their heart by being named, and eliminated from their soul by being absolved.
It is not enough that people hear a general homily, or read a general brochure, or browse this general blog. They need to hear it authoritatively declared that their sin, THEIR SIN, is forgiven.
And most of all, it takes a lot of the pressure off of us. In that intimate encounter between our Lord, the sinner, and the priest, we don’t have anything else to do. Once the Holy Spirit is done using us to get them there, hey, they will be taken care of. In our time, in our age, the New Evangelization will find the Sacrament of Penance to have pride of place in our mission.
Copyright © 2013, Mark Menegatti
Mark Menegatti
Brother Mark Menegatti is a Friar with the Order of Saint Augustine. He is a hip hop beatmaker & lyricist for the New Evangelization. Under the patronage of Saint Ephrem of Syria, he integrates theology, mysticism, and hip hop in his blog and in all of his music. He is currently in his fourth year of Theology in Chicago, and looks forward to ordination to the Priesthood. You can find his writings, theological reflections, chastity exhortations, and original music on his tumblr. He’s also found at Bandcamp music page, Twitter, and Facebook.
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