My blog was out of order for over a week. It is now working. I apologize to my readers for the inconvenience of not being able to view my blogs during that time. The problem is now fixed, and I hope we will not experience this sort of inconvenience in the future, eventhough it is a fact of life the Murphy’s law( that what can happen will happen) will always be a possibility.The server, Virtual Empire, has been busy up- dating its system due to the increased flow of information it has to deal with today, and we were naturally affected by this process of up-dating. I thank you for your patience, and hope you will continue to enjoy my blogs.

Fr. Hugh Duffy

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“Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier to say, your sins are forgiven, or to say, rise and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins-He then said to the paralytic, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”

The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 9:4-6

The Pharisees were more shocked at Jesus because he forgave the sins of the paralytic than because He cured his infirmity. For the Pharisees, only God can forgive sins. They criticized Jesus for blasphemy because he was making himself equal to God.

Jesus responded to their criticism by performing a dual miracle; He cured the paralytic and He forgave his sins.

Forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian message. Jesus forgave the poor woman who was caught in the act of adultery; He forgave St. Peter when he betrayed him three times; and he forgave Zacchaeus, the tax collector, and offered to dine at his home.

Forgiveness is a double-edged sword. Everyone is in need of forgiveness for everyone has sinned and everyone needs to forgive those who have sinned against them. The Lord’s prayer, the Our Father, prays: “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

You cannot experience forgiveness if you are unwilling to turn away from sin. Forgiveness means putting a stop to wrongdoing. You cannot expect someone to forgive you for stealing from them if you continue to steal from them. You must stop stealing, lying, cheating, or spreading false rumors if you wish to be forgiven. This is what is called a firm purpose of amendment; that is, a genuine resolve not to repeat acts of wrongdoing.

Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery, but he said to her: “Go and sin no more.” He forgave Peter’s triple denial but He asked him to profess his love for him three more times.

Forgiveness also involves repentance. Repentance means righting a wrong. You right the wrong between you and a person you have sinned against by expressing your sorrow for the wrongdoing and by making restitution if you have stolen or damaged property.

Jesus gave to his church the privilege and power to forgive sins. When people go to confession, it is not sufficient, as some falsely imagine, that they merely confess their sins; it is not sufficient that they only recite a list of their sins to the priest and expect to be forgiven. They must be sincerely sorry for their sins; they must resolve not to repeat the sins they have committed; and they must do penance for their sins. These three elements: sorrow, acknowledgement of sins (confession), and repentance are necessary to receive the Lord’s bountiful forgiveness which sets us free.

Fr. Hugh Duffy

* * * DO NOT MISS TOMORROW’S BLOG ON MERCY * * *