16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Christ has entrusted us with all the ability to do His ministry of reconciliation that is to continue to set people free from the power of sin and death and to usher them into the House of God. Christ has given us His own power and ability to do this. 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Forgiveness is the crux of Christ's work.
Salvation requires forgiveness.
Anyone with unfinished business in regards to restitution for sins needs to hear Christ tell us we must forgive and make the situation as right as we possibly can. Jesus gave us the ministry of reconciliation, which is the exact subject of tonight's Gospel reading. Reconciliation happens through the forgiveness of sin. If sin is retained that is, if we refuse to confess it, we lose our fellowship with God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and with the Church. God cannot receive sin.