A Beautiful Mind Comparison Essay

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Parallels Between A Beautiful Mind and The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is the process of being forgiven by God and others for sins one has committed. The Sacrament contains many elements that are essential to reaching forgiveness. These elements and characteristics can be illustrated through the life of John Nash, the main character in the Ron Howard film A Beautiful Mind. Through contrition, confession, satisfaction, and absolution, A Beautiful Mind presents comparisons that can be made between the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation and the process of recovery from mental illness.
In the Meeting Jesus textbook, “The rite of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is made up of three
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For penitents, this grace is forgiveness given from God and from the people around the penitent. It is primarily achieved through conversion, in which one realizes that they are wrong and sinful. Similarly, John Nash had to realize that the effects of his sin were negatively affecting the people around him and that he was not only putting himself in danger, but also his family and friends. When he came to this realization after accidently pushing his wife to protect her from William Parcher, a man only existent in John’s hallucinations, John could open his mind and heart to welcome the idea of recovery. The result of John’s hallucinations was the only thing that could show him how he was affecting those around him, as when he relapsed because he did not see how his actions were affecting others. This is comparable to how sinners may only realize their mistakes through the effects of their