What is the Purpose of Reconciliation? Why is it important?
Living in a world full of bad people, actions, influences and temptations, it is very easy to walk away from the right path to Heaven. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is our second chance, our time to ask God for Forgiveness and our opportunity to walk back onto the path to Heaven.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation helps us recognise and be sorry for our sins, it helps us live a good and holy life, just like Jesus wanted us to.
As the video above explained, Reconciliation can sometimes be called confession. However, there is a difference between confession and reconciliation. Reconciliation isn't about "reporting to the principal's office" it's about making amends to friendships, or in other words, fixing and repairing a relationship.
Imagine, you're playing with your closest friends on the playground during lunch, your team is almost about to win, and you have scored so many goals. 5 minutes left of your game and someone from your class who you never speak to, is asking to play with you. Furious that they disturbed your game, you tell them, "No! You can never play with us and you never will!" At home, you ask yourself, was I too mean today? Was it necessary? and you are filled with sadness and guilt.
Sunday came around and you and your family were attending mass. Your mum tells you that you should go to confession to say sorry for your sins. After thinking about it, you decide to go speak with the Priest in the Reconciliation Room.
During Reconciliation, the priest gives you great advice about being nice to others and you feel much better because God has forgiven you. At school the next day, you invite everyone to play with you and your friends, including the person you got angry at. You tell them how sorry you are and they accept your apology.
Because you went to Reconciliation and became closer with God, you had the strength and kindness to be nicer to others and make so many new friends. You fixed broken relationship.