224 CHRIST SEEKS THE LOST AND HEALS THE SICK

YOUCAT Lesson 224

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation

224  Why did Christ give us the sacrament of Penance and the Anointing of the Sick?

Christ’s love is shown in the fact that he seeks the lost and heals the sick.  That is why he gave us the sacraments of healing and restoration, in which we are freed from sin and strengthened in our physical and spiritual weakness.  [1420-1421]

Stained glass: ….. Christ the Good Shepherd  St John the Baptist's Anglican Church, Ashfield, New South Wales, 20th century stained glass depiction.  “Christ’s love is shown in the fact that he seeks the lost and heals the sick.” – YOUCAT …..224

“For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.”  Luke 19:20

THE SACRAMENTS OF HEALING

…….1420   Through the sacraments of Christian initiation, man receives the new life of Christ. Now we carry this life "in earthen vessels," and it remains "hidden with Christ in God." (2 Corinthians 4:7; Colossians 3:3. )¹    We are still in our "earthly tent," subject to suffering, illness, and death.(2 Corinthians 5:1.)²    This new life as a child of God can be weakened and even lost by sin. –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

…….1421   The Lord Jesus Christ, physician of our souls and bodies, who forgave the sins of the paralytic and restored him to bodily health,(compare  Mark 2:1-12.)³   has willed that his Church continue, in the power of the Holy Spirit, his work of healing and salvation, even among her own members. This is the purpose of the two sacraments of healing: the sacrament of Penance and the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.