21. I believe in the forgiveness of sins


  Introduction

     The glorious mystery in Jesus’ resurrection bring us the the exceptional gift of peace- the first greeting of the Risen One to his disciples-, and the forgiveness of sins announced and given by Christ to his apostles the same day of his resurrection. They are the two sides of the same coin: the gift which brings peace and the peace which arises from the forgiveness of sins.

     The forgiveness of sins explains Christ’s mission in the world, as St. Paul wrote: “our Lord Jesus who was handed over to death for our sins and raised to life for our justification.” (Romans 4,25). As a result, peace invade us, because “He is the peace between us” (Ephesians 2,14). Jesus means Saviour: He comes to save men from their sins. In line with that mission, the Lord has apply his mercy with the sinners, because it is necessary to give it to men. For that reason, He wanted to inform his church, and on the evening of the day of resurrection He said to his apostles: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven.” (John 20,23). Therefore, the forgiveness of sins exists in the Church thanks to an infinite kindness of God to men.

     The Creed of the Apostles practise the forgiveness of sins: “I believe...in the forgiveness of sins.” In the Nicene-Constatinopolitan Creed, it is also stated that: “We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.” We will explain later the importance of baptism in the remission of sin and in the sacrament of penance.

   A. Answer with one of the following words: sadness, peace, angish, coin,idea, word, angish, sadness, sins, forgiven, indebted, Eucharist or penance.

  The resurrection of Christ brings us forgiveness and

  Forgiveness and peace are two sides of the same

  Jesus comes to save us from our

  If you forgive anyone's sins, thery are

  Sins are forgiven by the sacrament of



 

 1. We are sinners.

      Man born with the original sin, inherited from our first parents Adam and Eve.

     We also commit sin throughout our lifes. We offend God when we do not obey Him; we also offend our brothers, and thus we offend God. Man has a great neccesity of God's forgiveness.

 2. Christ forgave sins 

     While Jesus Christ was in Earth He forgave sins to those who were regreted. The Gospel outlined that power, which Christ used because He was the real God, as well as a man.

  ""Take comfort, my child, your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9,2), he said to the paralytic. To the sinner woman, who suddenly appears in Simon's house, He said: "Your sins are forgiven” (Luke 7,48).

 3. Christ granted the power of forgiving sins to the Church

     When, in the evening of Resurrection, the Holy Spirit was given to the Apostles, the power of forgiving sins was also granted. “Receive the Holy Spirit.If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone's sins, they are retained.” (John 20,22-23). The Church exert that power over baptism and penance.

 4. There are one baptism for the forgiveness of sins

     While ascending to Heaven, Jesus said to His apostles: “Go out to the whole world; proclaim the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16, 15-16). Christ wanted to unite the forgiveness of sins to faith and baptism. Baptism is the first sacrament to forgive and fully erase sins, although it does not release man of his lust and weakness by nature.

 B. Answer with the following words: innocent, sinner, regreted, apologized, keept, forgiven, Apostles, pharisees, marriage, baptism, sins, favours.

  Every man is a

  Jesus forgive the sinners who se

  Jesus said: Take comfort, my child, your sins are

  Jesus give power to forgive sins to the

  The Church forgive our sins by penance and

  There are one baptism for the forgiveness of

 5. The sacrament of penance

     Being baptism's effect so radical, it is logical to think in a subsequent and ultimate innocence. However, the freedom of man is fragile and he need forgiven again. Christ knew our condition and provided another way of reconciliation for those who have fallen after baptism: the sacrament of penance, which reconciliates us with God and with his Church.

 6. The Church can forgive all sins

     There are not any sin, no matter its seriousness, which could not be forgiven by the Church. Christ redeemed us from sin giving up his life for us, and He wanted that the Church has its gates open to forgiven every man who sincerely repents from his sins. The power to forgive sins by the sacrament of penance is only hold by those who have received the sacrament of Holy Orders; that is, bishops and priests.

 7. We must be grateful for the gift Christ gave to His Church

     How easy is to thank God for giving the Church the power to forgive sins! St. John Chrysostom said: “Priests have received a power from God that angels and archangels don't have... God approve in the highest what priests do down here.” And St. Augustin wrote:”If there are not remission of sins within the Church, it won't be any hope, any expectancy of eternal life and of eternal liberation. Let us thank God for giving the Church such gift.”

 Curso de Catequesis. Don Jaime Pujol Balcells and Don Jesús Sancho Bielsa. EUNSA. Navarra. 1982. Reproduced with the permission of the authors.

   C. Choose the proper term of the Christian doctrine: support, forgiveness, Church, gang, few, all, priests, deacons, priests, angels.

  Men are weak and need

  Penance reconcile with God and with the

  How many sins could be forgiven by the Church?

  Confession could be heard by bishops and

  Sins cannot be forgiven by the

  Questions from the Catechism

 1. Which sacraments have been introduced for the forgiveness of sins?  To obtain the forgiveness of sins two sacraments have been introduced: baptism and penance.

 2. Which sins are forgiven by the baptism?  By the baptism, original sin and personal sin are forgiven.

 3. Which sins are forgiven by the sacrament of penance?  By the sacrament of penance, sins commited since the last confession- no matter its importance or number- are forgiven.

 4. Who are the ones with power to forgive sins by the sacrament of penance?  The power to forgive sins by the sacrament of penance is held by the ones who have received the sacrament of Holy Orders: bishops and priests.

   D. Choose the proper answer. Options are below:

  QUESTIONS

  ANSWERS 

  Which sacraments have been mainly constituted for the forgiveness of sins?

  Which sins are forgiven by the baptism?

  Which sins are forgiven by the sacrament of penance?

  Who are the ones with power to forgive sins by the sacrament of penance?


  ANSWERS
  A

  Original and personal sins.
  B

  Only by those who have received the sacrament of Holy Orders: bishops and priests.
  C

  Sins commited since the last confession- no matter its importance or number- are forgiven.  

  D

  Two sacraments: baptism and penance.



  Intentions for a Christian life

 - Receive- in a proper mood- the sacrament of penance.

 - Be very grateful to God for the great gift of Christ to His Church: the mission and power for truly forgiving sins.

    If you are registered, please enter your data:

  Name:
 

   Password:
   

  

 Registration Information

 Educational applications  

 Back

®Arturo Ramo García.-Record of intellectual property of Teruel (Spain) No 141, of 29-IX-1999. Plaza Playa de Aro, 3, 1º DO 44002-TERUEL







>