Penance:
DEFINITION: a sacrament, as in the Roman Catholic Church, consisting in a confession of sin, made with sorrow and with the intention of amendment, followed by the forgiveness of the sin.
While not a specific "sacrament" in Protestantism (I think it is in Anglicanism, however) it IS embraced and practiced. It simply means CONFESSION, confessing our sins (especially to a fellow Christian rather than EXCLUSIVELY to God only). I think this is biblical.
I think there's some biblical support for the ancient Judaeo Christian custom of restoration. If a 12 year old boy acted irresponsibily and broke the neighbor's window with a baseball, he should CONFESS this certainly to God (because he has sinned against God) but also the neighbor (for he has also sinned against him). But it has always been a teaching that if possible, he should pay for that window. Of course, this isn't always possible.
I think what you may be addressing, my brother, is where this is frankly unrelated to the sin. Saying 5 Hail Mary's does nothing about the sin. I think this can be very mechanical and rote (been there, done that!). BUT as I understand it, the concept here is not restitution but addressing our sinful nature, it's for the sinner's benefit not the benefit of the one sinned against. I think the thought it this will HELP the person grow spiritually and in their process of sanctfication. I think this CAN be good but I agree, I think how this is done often gets interpreted as "punishment" and often isn't of much value.
My half cent.
- Josiah
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