The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-04-15
SATISFACTION FOR SIN.

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Penance not only includes contri-
ton and confession, but also satisfac-
ton. Besides being. our own accusers,
we also have to execute Judgment on
ourselves by making satisfaction for
sin. The catechism says that salts
faction is THE doing of the penance
given us by the priest" 1t means
the payment of what is due in repara-
ton to God for sin. Penitents not
having the desire to make satisfaction
for sin could not receive absolution.
Satisfaction has always been required
by the justice of God. Il feared,
knowing that Thou didst not suffer
the offender" dob tx, 2S) We are
told that the prodigal was willing to
serve in his fathers house as one of
the servants, and the debtor said: Il
will pay thee all.
According to the present dispense,
ton of the Church, the penance given
is generally some prayer or act i'm
posed, rather as a sign of the will
ingness to accept the penance, than as
the penance itself Religion is linked
to the idea of responsibilities
sibility to God for our deeds. He
that cometh to God must believe that
He is, and is a rewarder to them that
seek him" (Heb. xi, Sd
In the very beginning, man received
a warning concerning the necessity of
satisfaction. This is evident from the
words God addressed to Cain when he
was tempted to commit his crime.
why art thou angry, and why hast
thy countenance fallen? If thou do
well shouldst thou not receive, but If
ill, shall not sin forthwith be present
at the door," tGen. iv, 60
Present at the door" Think OF
the consequence of our sins as wait
ing for us, following our footsteps, not
to be lodged, or put off, unless they
are in some way fully satisfied.
We know that God is a iudge-a just
judge-and will render to all according
to their works, and we are told by St
Paul, who wrote to the Galatians,
vi, Z: BE not deceived; God is not
Knocked For what things a man shall
SOW tho-a also shall he reap. For he
that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh
also shall reap corruption. But he
that soweth in the spirit, of the spirit
shall reap life everlasting" And
again: The wages of sin is death.
We should frequently dwell on these
solemn warnings, that we may not
lose sight of our responsibilities. We
are naturally inclined to put our sins
out OF our Sight as soon as possible5
and to deceive ourselves in thinking
that as we have forgotten them, we
shall no longer be held accountable
for them. But they are present at
them than we can our shadow. Our
Lord constantly compares sin to debt
which we owe to God. "One was
bought to him who owed him 10000
talents" EST. Matt. xvii, 22) And
then again: "A certain creditor had
two debtors, one owed him 500 pence,
and the other so" (St Luke vii, AID
In the Lords prayer we are taught con-
stantly to repeat, Forgive us our
debts-our trespasses-as we forgive
those who trespass against u.s."
In the world, men and society pur
sue debtors, and in various ways make
them mindful of their obligations.
Since this is expected, why should we
not realize that the God of eternal jus
tice will seek satisfaction from those
indebted to Him. Even friends are re-
CURED to pay their debts. When
Moses and David sinned, though they
both were high in Gods favor, they
had to pay the penalty of their trans
gressions and make satisfaction for
their sins. God is not a respecter Of
persons If we do not render satisfac-
ton here to God for sins committed,
we must remember that there is a
prison in the next world, out of which
no man can go until he has paid the
last farthing.