| Introduction |
7 |
| Chapter 1 The Mystery of Sin |
13 |
| 1. The Vocabulary of Sin |
14 |
| 2. The Vertical and Horizontal Dimensions of Sin |
20 |
| 3. The Radical Nature of Sin and Deliverance |
36 |
| Chapter 2 The Mercy of God and the Sacrament of Penance |
47 |
| 1. The Mercy of God in the Old Testament |
47 |
| 2. The Mercy of God in Christ |
51 |
| 3. The Ecclesial Dimensions of Christ’s Mercy |
56 |
| 4. The Mercy of God in the Sacrament of Penance |
64 |
| Chapter 3 Conversion and the Sacrament of Penance |
74 |
| 1. The Sacrament of Repentance |
74 |
| 2. Penitential Exercises and the Renewal of Life |
81 |
| Chapter 4 Repentance and the Paschal Mystery |
87 |
| 1. The Paschal Mystery as the Judgment of God |
90 |
| 2. Repentance and the Passion of Christ |
95 |
| 3. Repentance and the Resurrection |
97 |
| 4. Repentance and the Second Coming |
100 |
| Chapter 5 Confession and the Sacrament of Penance |
105 |
| 1. Confession of Sins and the Praise of God |
105 |
| 2. Confession as a Sacrifice of Praise |
110 |
| 3. The Western Spiritual Tradition |
113 |
| 4. The Penitent’s Confession and the Church’s Mystery |
117 |
| Chapter 6 Penance: A Sacrament of Reconciliation |
121 |
| 1. Bible, Liturgy, Tradition |
121 |
| 2. St. Ambrose’s Theology of Sin and Reconciliation |
144 |
| 3. The Word of Reconciliation |
151 |
| 4. Reconciliation and the Priestly People of God |
160 |
| Appendix The Bite of Penance: Introduction |
169 |
| Scriptural Index |
191 |
| Ritual Index |
194 |
| Author and Subject Index |
195 |