Bringing the Sacrament of Penance Home
Parents are themselves living signs of forgiveness and reconciliation. Ways to express this in your homes includes
Another way to live with signs of forgiveness and reconciliation is to ask "What's your family's forgiveness quotient"? How readily do you forgive each other and seek the healing blessings of the sacrament of reconciliation? Because you are the first and best teachers of the faith for your children, there is no better way to encourage your child to seek forgiveness through the sacrament of reconciliation than by participating in it yourself. So the most important step in creating a family that faithfully participates in the sacrament is to make sure you go to confession, and make sure your kids know you go.
Your child will quickly catch on to the importance of this healing sacrament when they see you going and reaping the benefits of a grace - and peace-filled life. Besides celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation yourself, there are other ways you can support and encourage your children to go to confession.
Use the language of forgiveness around the house.
"Please forgive me"
"I am sorry I hurt you"
"I was rude"
"What I did was mean"
"I did not act fairly"
These simple and sincere words create an atmosphere where children learn that holding grudges and having hurt feelings is not the way Jesus means for us to live.
Also look for opportunities to teach about forgiveness in common, everyday situations: with neighbors and friends, at school and work, from newspaper headlines, in situations on telelvision. Take time to talk to your children about the times when they've hurt others and when they've been hurt, and what it means to forgive.
Ask them "How might things be different if forgiveness could happen in this situation?"
As parents and teachers, we can work together to help children hear Jesus' good news about forgiveness. Celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation and living in an environment of forgiveness will teach children (and us adults with them) to people of peace.
- Distinguishing between who the child is and the child's behavior
- Permitting mistakes
- Admitting mistakes
- Allowing feelings of sorrow
- Allowing expressions of sorrow
- Asking for forgiveness
- Giving forgiveness
- Permitting change
- Welcoming change
- Celebrating the sacrament with your child
Another way to live with signs of forgiveness and reconciliation is to ask "What's your family's forgiveness quotient"? How readily do you forgive each other and seek the healing blessings of the sacrament of reconciliation? Because you are the first and best teachers of the faith for your children, there is no better way to encourage your child to seek forgiveness through the sacrament of reconciliation than by participating in it yourself. So the most important step in creating a family that faithfully participates in the sacrament is to make sure you go to confession, and make sure your kids know you go.
Your child will quickly catch on to the importance of this healing sacrament when they see you going and reaping the benefits of a grace - and peace-filled life. Besides celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation yourself, there are other ways you can support and encourage your children to go to confession.
- Show your kids that reconciliation makes a difference in your life. Tell them how and why you feel more joy and peace after you go to confession.
- Set-up a family schedule for going to conferssion, whether you all go to church at the same time or individually, or at times convenient for each family member.
- Help your children prepare for confession by encouraging a regular examination of conscience. Help younger children raise questions that recall what they've done and what they have failed to do. "Do I need to be forgiven because I was selfish or rude or unkind?"
- Hold "forgiveness prayer services" at hoe. Something as simple as gathering in a circle, holding hands, and praying the Lords Prayer can create a quiet and peaceful time for your children to think about their need for forgiveness.
Use the language of forgiveness around the house.
"Please forgive me"
"I am sorry I hurt you"
"I was rude"
"What I did was mean"
"I did not act fairly"
These simple and sincere words create an atmosphere where children learn that holding grudges and having hurt feelings is not the way Jesus means for us to live.
Also look for opportunities to teach about forgiveness in common, everyday situations: with neighbors and friends, at school and work, from newspaper headlines, in situations on telelvision. Take time to talk to your children about the times when they've hurt others and when they've been hurt, and what it means to forgive.
Ask them "How might things be different if forgiveness could happen in this situation?"
As parents and teachers, we can work together to help children hear Jesus' good news about forgiveness. Celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation and living in an environment of forgiveness will teach children (and us adults with them) to people of peace.