From the Friars: The Sacrament of Mercy

G. K. Chesterton was asked by some of his friends why he became a Catholic. His reply was, “to get my sins forgiven.” The first thing Jesus did when He appeared to His apostles on the day of His Resurrection was to give them the power to forgive sins. “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven: if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (Jn 20:23) Here we see the beginning of the Sacrament of Confession.

Today is the Octave of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday. Today we remember especially the infinite mercy of God, which St. John Paul II defined as a love that longs to forgive. Some people, like Judas, see their sins as so horrible that Jesus cannot forgive them. They are tempted to despair. Others, the much larger group I believe, presume on the Lord’s Goodness and assume they will get to heaven without repentance and conversion. They are both falling for deceptions of the enemy.

The Divine Mercy devotion is rooted in the revelations of Jesus to St. Faustina. But these revelations are also very clear about the Justice of God and the saint was also shown a terrifying vision of hell. Sin is like cancer in that they can both be deadly, one physically and the other spiritually. Jesus said, “If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.” (Mt5:30) Better to lose a part of your body than to lose your life, or your soul.

After Baptism, Confession is the means which Jesus established for the forgiveness of sins. But why would a priest “retain” a sin? Only if it is clear that there is no real repentance should a priest deny absolution. Because it would be unjust to absolve if there is no real contrition and intention to change one’s life.

Let us joyfully and confidently rush into the merciful arms of our Heavenly Father, but beware of the deception of a false mercy that allows the cancer of sin to remain.

God bless you.

Fr. Peter