From a parish bulletin (not in my area, but I do know the parish that produced this..and it’s not surprising)

"All the children and their families who have just received their First Reconciliation are invited to join together for a special Advent Celebration…..   We will gather to exercise our newly touched sacramental imaginations."   

I must say I’m intrigued by the response to this, especially those commentors who seem to imagine that the rest of us, including a blogger who, you know, edits a fiction series, need to be instructed on the role of imagination in spirituality. Really? Thanks!

No, the absurd thing about this bulletin posting is that it very clearly indicates that the fruit of the first reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is having your sacramental imagination touched. Newly!

Is that what the Sacrament of Reconciliation is all about? I suppose, in some obtuse theological system, we could say that the reception and embrace of God’s forgiveness involves the touching of our imaginations. I mean, sacramental imaginations.

But is that the way you think about it? Is that the way, if you were given the task of forming 7-year olds and their families in the meaning and fruit of this sacrament, looking forward to the sacrament of Eucharist in a few months – that you would talk to them? Is that the framework you’d use? Good God, I hope not.

Look, for years the predominant Catholic Meme has been – Oh, those pre-Vatican II days. So abstract! So distant from the realities of human life! And this is an improvement? This isn’t abstract?

What’s wrong with being simple? Why not, in helping to form children and their families, do so in a way that is plainspoken and direct? This kind of language hints at a program and mindset that is delighted with itself , rather than be delighted with God. It is fascinated with the sound of its own voice, rather the sound of Jesus’.