The herald., 1896-09-28

| 1t follows then that by forgiving the
| sins of the paralytic, he declared Him.
| self to be God. And as every offense, in
regard to God is infinite, we as finite
beings, can do nothing that would have
| an infinite value, and so atone for sin.
| Christ alone, can make this satisfaction
| because being God, everything He did
| was of infinite value, being the acts of a
| Goldman. Therefore He is the meri-
| torious cause of the forgiveness of sins
| and that of all sins. without exception
Whose sins you shall forgive, they are
| forgiven them" And st. John says: "If
any man sin, we have an advocate with
the Father, Jesus Christ, the Just, He Is
the propitiation of our sins; not for ours
only, but for those of the whole world
Hence there is no sin that cannot be for
given to such as sincerely repent OF
ment of penance.
Lastly, all punishment deserved by
sinners can be remitted. These punish
ments are either eternal, as those of hell,
or temporal, which must be atoned for
either here or in purgatory, according
as we have committed mortal or venal
sins. These two kinds of punishments
can be remitted. because Christ gave to
his church the same power that he HIM
self possessed. In the case of the poor
thief, Christ remitted both the guilt and
all punishments due to his sins, when he
said, This day thou and" etc. That the
church has power to remit sins and the
punishment due to sins is plain from the
words of Christ: Whatsoever you shall
lose upon earth," etc. With these words
Christ endowered his church with un-
limited power; therefore. he can remove
everything that can obstruct our en-
trance into heaven.
For the remission Of sins and its pun
ishment penance Is necessary, for Christ
says, UNLESS you do penance you shall
all likewise perish; penance Is the only
plank of safety, and he who loses his
hold of it must infallibly perish. True
penance consists in turning to God sin
cerely and with the whole heart; in hat
ing and detesting our past transgres-
sions, with firm resolution of amend
ment of life, hoping to obtain pardon
through the mercy of God. But for the
purpose we must receive the sacra-
ment instituted for the forgiveness of
sins. These sacraments are baptism
and penance. Baptism cleanses a man
not only from original, but also from ac-
tual sins, If he has committed any.
Hence, by baptism we receive an entire
and unqualified pardon so that no sin,
original or actual, remains to be expi-
ated, no punishment to be endured.
However, the grace Of baptism does not
give exemption from all the infirmities
of nature. On the contrary, contending,
as we are, against the notion Of concupi-
scence, there is scarcely one of us who
opposes so vigorous a resistance to its
assaults or who guards his salvation so
vigilantly as to escape all the snares
of Satan. Hence, then, the necessity of
a power of forgiveness existing in the
church, and this power the church pos
sesses and exercises through the sacra-
ment of penance, for to her were in
trusted the keys of the kingdom of heav-
en- by which each one If penitent may
obtain the remission of his sins, even
though he were a sinner to the last day
of his life. This truth rests on the word
of Christ himself: II will give to thee
the keys Of the kingdom of heaven" etc.
(Matthew.) And again, Receive We the
Holy Ghost" The exercise of this power
is not restricted to any particular sins.
No sinner, no matter how depraved,
should despair of pardon, provided he
sincerely repents of his transgressions
Thank God, then, for the two great
means of salvation which he has provid-
ed for you in the sacrament of baptism
and penance, and be ever so1icitous to
share in the grace of these sacraments
We should esteem the grace of baptism
above all things, for there is no greater
treasure. If you would preserve the
grace received at the baptismal font dur
ing life you would at death be transmit
ted Immediately into heaven. But since
this is so difficult and since SO few per-
sons possess this baptismal innocence,
since almost all at some time or other
commit grievous sin, avail yourself of
the means which God has ordained for
the salvation of your soul, aZid with we'll
prepared heart receive the sacrament of
penance that the words which Christ
addressed to the palsied man In the gos-
L H. G.111 Ia1
son, be of good heart; thy sins are for
given thee