Copyright © 2006 By Doug Lawrence. All Rights Reserved.
Catechism Of The Catholic Church Reprinted With Permission.
- 12 -
When a Catholic, in the spirit of contrition and repentance, makes
a good, complete confession of all known sins to a priest, God,
through His Church, His Sacrament and His priest, freely
distributes the fruits of Christ's life, death, and resurrection and
absolves the individual of sin, restoring spiritual life and grace to
the soul.
But few Catholics and almost no Protestants understand that it is virtually
impossible for someone to receive absolution from sin if they are "locked in" to a
lifestyle that is inherently sinful and where
there is no real possibility of true repentance.
Consider these two situations:
Person "A" is living with another and
regularly engages in illicit sexual relations with
that person. Typically, person "A"
may not be granted absolution of his/her sins.
Person "B" is living apart from another and
regularly engages in illicit sexual relations with
that person. Typically, person "B"
may be granted absolution of his/her sins.
Question:
Assuming that in both cases, the sinner is
truly sorry (contrite) for his sins and firmly intends to mend his ways (repent)
why is absolution usually available in "B", the second scenario, but likely not
available in "A", the first?
Answer:
Through cohabitation, Person "A" is effectively, "locked in" to a
lifestyle that is inherently sinful and where there is no real possibility
of true repentance. Person "B", living apart, is not.
When Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation, He broadly empowered
the Apostles (and their validly ordained successors) to carefully evaluate the
nature of the sin as well as the demeanor of the sinner.
John 20:21 - 23 He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father
hath sent me, I also send you. When he had said this, he breathed on them; and
he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they
are forgiven them: and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is not just a rite or ceremony. It's God's way of
refining, educating and sanctifying the faithful. He makes the rules. We reap the
benefits. It's important for every Christian to understand the way God's
mercy worked, and continues to work for us today, through His Church.
 |
 |
 |