The Sacrament of Reconciliation
            
             Within the Christian faith there are many beliefs and acts for one to follow. Such acts consist of the sacraments, for which there are seven. Believed by many to be one of the most intricate and difficult to understand of all the sacraments, is the sacrament of Reconciliation. Those who approach the sacrament of Reconciliation, obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins. There are also two different types of sin. The consequences of sin also vary. This sacrament can also be referred to by many different names. Many wonder how this sacrament came to be or how it evolved.
             The evolution of it goes back to the time of Jesus Christ who instituted all the sacraments to symbolize or confer grace. This sacrament also consists of many parts or actions, which take place throughout the act of Reconciliation. There are also many spiritual affects which come out of this sacrament. There are many different names of Reconciliation, three of the names are penance, confession, and forgiveness. It is called the sacrament of Penance because this is the part of the sacrament that consecrates the Christian sinners' personal steps of conversion. There are three forms of penance. These forms are fasting, prayer and almsgiving, which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to all others. It can be called the sacrament of Confession do to the act of revealing ones sins to the priest. This is an essential element of this sacrament. Last but not least, it can be known as the sacrament of forgiveness, do to the priest's sacramental absolution God grants the Penitent pardon. The truth is Reconciliation encompasses all these aspects. All of these aspects are needed to be fully reconciled with God. Sin is before all else an offense against God, a break of communion with Him. At the same time it da...