Topic: Prophecy Meditation
Message to Patsy Soto Jan. 21,2008
January 21, 2008
My precious sisters and brothers in our Jesus Mercy, a plea went out for help a couple of days ago, to some it was just a repeat of what had been sent out earlier, to others a problem for this I apologize. It isn't easy to have to put out a plea for help and of course as I have said before I complained to our Jesus about this. He calmly listened as any wonderful father,brother, spouse would. But when I recieved a couple of emails very unpleasant I went straight to Jesus crying and saying I was QUITING AGAIN, feeling sorry for myself, asking myself why why do I have to put so much of myself out there for all to know to see, saying over and over again JESUS I QUIT YOU HEAR ME I QUIT!
Jesus than spoke so lovingly, saying how much He loved each one of us and yes it was a difficult situation having to invite others and sharing with others, and yes in an instant of a second He could fix the situation of finances, He could do anything and everything but that was not the answer His Father was looking for. If His Father gave His Only Begotten Son to die on the cross, THE SACRIFICE FOR ALL HIS CHILDREN TO HAVE THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE, than it was not only His Desire but His Father's Desire for sacrifice from all His Children that would bring numerous Graces upon this very saddened misguided world.
My husband and I are just one of many trying to answer His Call, of course I have asked myself and said to myself How could Jesus even remember us let alone listen to us over such little problems or rather for us big problems when there are millions upon millions of people in the world, but Jesus does, He knows each one of us and each one of our problems.
His Main Concern is each one of each individual soul and He will do all in His Power to save each one individual soul. His Novena for World Peace is I am sure only one of His Many Missions in this world and He is Love and Mercy.
I have asked our Jesus as usual to help me to write whatever He desired you to hear, and as much as I did and do want to quit that love He shows me and gives to all is why once again my answer to Him is yes I will try, me patsy
Approved by Reverend Fr. Paul M. Caporali, Spiritual Advisor for His Teachings' Ministry
Monday January 21, 2008, 5:57 pm
Message from Jesus to Patsy Soto
Praise be to Jesus For Jesus is Lord, Saviour, Redeemer, Reconciler of all nations..
Beloved little one, open your heart for My Words, For it is I your Jesus of Mercy who comes to plead for My children, With My children! Read Chp 4 John Vs 3-43 -
(Vs 34 - Jesus said to them. "My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work,
35 Do you not say, "In four months" the harvest will be here"? I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest;
36 The reaper is already
37 receiving his payment and gathering crops for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together. 37 For here the saying is verified,
38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the work, and you are sharing the fruits of their work".
OPEN YOU HEARTS TO MY WORDS MY CHILDREN FOR THEY ARE THE WORDS ANDS WORKS FOR ALL THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD!
Tell My children for each one who will help my little ones continue with My Novena For World Peace, I will give each one the special graces
I have promised in My messages of January 1, 4, 17, 2004, "I am giving for anyone who will help bring My Novena For World Peace into their area graces of conversion and a return of your family members to My One True Holy and Apostolic Roman Catholic Church" I will also give the grace of a release of souls out of purgatory each day of the novena for each person attending.
For those of you who bring My Novena for World Peace into any area, I will not only open the hearts of the hardened souls of any member of your families but will give them the grace of having a priest present for the opportunity to receive the Holy Sacrament of Reconciliation before their death."
These were My promises and I have kept My Promises. My children open your hearts to continue MY NOVENA FOR WORLD PEACE, I WILL GIVE TO ALL WHO WILL HELP IN ANY WAY TO KEEP MY NOVENA FOR WORLD PEACE CONTINUE ALL THE GRACES ABOVE.
I know that many cannot bring My Novena into their area but you can help bring it to other areas through your prayers, financially in which ever way you can help you will receive My Graces that I have promised!
OPEN YOUR HEARTS MY CHILDREN FOR ALL THE SOULS IN YOUR WORLD NEED MY GRACE and through your willingness My Novena For World Peace will continue and reach all the world. Again I say to you through your sacrifice and prayers how inconceivable is it that I , Your Jesus of Mercy, would not desire to give you My love, My gifts? How inconcievable is it that I WOULD NOT TRY TO SAVE SOULS! Am I not your Jesus of Mercy, THINK OF MY Medal Mission to save souls! Again I ask you AM I NOT YOUR JESUS OF MERCY? I AM WITH YOU! I AM YOUR JESUS OF MERCY I Love each one of you.
New Jersey is able to have a Novena For World Peace but needs help in financing. If you can help please contact Velma Brandt who is the Administrative Scheduler for His Teachings' Ministry.
Also please do not forget Jesus Medal Mission from His Message of September 20, 2007 "I have heard your pleas for My children, especially those lost in despair in this world, many with thoughts of suicide. You, My children, do not see the boundedness of so many of My children in this world. You would not be able to bear the pain of losing even one soul to eternal loss due to sin. This is why, because of your pleas, My children, I invite you open your hearts to this mission I now place with My Ministry, His Teachingsâ Ministry. You are invited to help obtain My Holy Mother's Miraculous Medal and/or the St. Benedict Medal or Cross"
Ben & Velma Brandt
HTM Medals
1816 Deep Creek Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73131
htmmedals@sbcglobal .net
Phone Number (405) 475-6398
Message to Patsy Soto for Sept 18,2007 just released
This is a good message. The only "radicalism" that is right for us is radical love of God. And radical, properly understood, simply means going to the roots.
In the Lord,
Fr. Bernie
Approved for Release by Rev.Fr. Melvin Doucette and Rev. Fr. Bernard Carman, SAC
Meditation for September 18, 2007
Given - Sunday, August 5, 2007at 7:15 pm Message from Jesus to Patsy Soto
Approved for Release August 6, 2007@ 11:50 am -by Rev. Fr. Melvin Doucette Spiritual Director for Art & Patsy Soto
Praise be to Jesus for Jesus is Lord, Savior, Redeemer, Reconciler of all nations.
Thank you My little one for opening your heart to listen to My Words. On September 8, a day which My One True Holy and Apostolic Church of the Roman Catholic faith, celebrates the Birthday of My Holy Mother. A day of Honor that should be a reminder to all, of Her Faith, Her obedience and Her Unconditonal Pure Love for God. How did you celebrate this day with My Holy Mother? Did you spend some time in prayer with My Holy Mother? Did you invite My Holy Mother into your hearts today? Did you read and take to heart the message My Holy Mother gave My beloved Mirjana just a few days ago, where My Holy Mother asks from each of you unconditional, pure love for God. Or did you even remember My Holy Mother on this day?
I would like each of you to look into your hearts and ask yourselves why is it so difficult to place God first in each of your lives. What is unconditional, pure love for God? As my mother lay asleep on a bed made of palm tree leaves atop sand and my earthly father Joseph laying there next to us awakened by a voice in his dream to leave immediately the place we were at because men were coming to kill the infant Jesus, who lay between them. My mother awakened startled by the abruptness in my father's movements to get us all away from something neither understood. Neither hesitated to question a dream, for they new in their hearts that this child which was in My Holy Mothers arms was the Messiah and their Faith, their Trust and their UNCONDITIONAL PURE LOVE FOR GOD was their direction, their guidance. They would not question because they knew their life was a total surrender to God The Father Almighty, and this child was their total love and life.
How many days they would now travel, to a new land in order that they could find safety for this, their child, that a king was looking for to have killed. And so began another heartbreak for My Holy Mother, not only was she leaving behind her parents, her land, she did not even consider for a moment not to go where her husband was leading because he was told in a dream about the danger for their son, she would do what was being asked of her because of her unconditional pure love for God! I love you my children. I love you unconditionally as My Father loves each one unconditionally did he not give his only begotten son to die so that you may have life eternal! Did My Holy Mother not stand at the foot of the cross as they hung me to die for each one of you! Your Jesus of Mercy
7:53 pm August 5, 2007
Open my little one to Matthew Ch 2 Vs 12 - And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country.
Vs 13 - And after they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying : Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt; and be there until I shall thell thee. For it will come to pass that, Herod will seek the child to destroy him.
Vs 14- Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod;
Vs 15 - That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Message given from Mama Mary to Mirjana August 2, 2007
Today I look in your hearts and looking at them my
heart seizes with pain. My children! I ask of you
unconditional, pure love for God. You will know that
you are on the right path when you will be on earth
with your body and with your soul always with God.
Through this unconditional and pure love you will see
my Son in every person. You will feel unity in God. As
a Mother I will be happy because I will have your holy
and unified hearts. My children, I will have your
salvation. Thank you.
At the beginning of the apparition Our Lady showed
Mirjana what is waiting for us if there is not the
holiness in our hearts and our brotherly union in
Christ. It was not nice at all. She asked us to pray
for our shepherds because she said that without them
there is no unity.
Just released Message to Patsy Soto for Sept. 19.2007
Meditation for September 19, 2007
Given - Thursday, August 9, 2007 at 8:00 pm Message from Jesus to Patsy Soto
Approved for release by Reverend Fr. Melvin Doucette Spiritual Director for Art and Patsy Soto
and Rev.Fr. Bernard Carman, SAC
Praise be to Jesus for Jesus is Lord, Savior, Redeemer, Reconciler of All Nations.
Beloved little one of My Most Wounded Sacred Heart. I desire that each of you at this moment look into your hearts remembering the many words I have given in these meditations. There were many given you, so many that it is difficult to remember them.
But, my children, the words even though many all showed our love. The love of Me your Jesus of Mercy for each one of you. The love of My Holy Mother for each one of you. The love of the Father Almighty and the Holy Spirit for each one of you. For God So Loved the World that He gave His Only Begotten Son so that all may have Life Eternal. Contemplate now a long dirt road with people standing all around this road just to see a man carrying a cross condemned to death because of claiming to be the Son of God.
Earlier in my words given you, I said that many of these people could not look at my face because they would see this love and know they were crucifying the Son of God. They turned away instead in order to appease their minds for their actions. How many close their minds and hearts when it comes to acknowledging there is a God and there is a soul that will live forever and there are consequences for all ones actions.
But there was one who would not turn away from my face, one who looked directly into my eyes and I into her eyes, My Holy Mother. Her heart breaking as she looked upon this her child, now a man convicted because of My Obedience to My Father, beaten, scourged and a crown of thorns piercing My Sacred Head, carrying a heavy wooden cross and barely able to drag this cross. Looking into each others eyes, knowing that this had to be in order for all mankind to be given a choice for eternal life.
Would you My children, could you My children stand by and watch if this was your child walking before you to be crucified?
My children understand they may not be walking on the path of Calvary to be crucified, but are they walking with Me your Jesus of Mercy or on a path to the eternal abyss because of sin.
Yet my children you can pray and offer sacrifice for all children knowing that I am a Merciful God, and a loving God and I hear all parents pleas. I never turn away from any of my children, just as my Holy Mother never turned away from Me. I love you My Children, I am your Jesus Crucified. I am your Jesus of Mercy.
September 9, 2007 @ 8:23 pm
Open my little one to Psalm 71 Vs 2 - Give to the king thy judgment, O God, and to the King's son thy justice: To judge thy people with justice, and the poor with judgment.
3 - Let the mountains receive peace for the people; and the hills justice.
4 - He shall judge the poor of the people, and he shall save the children of the poor; and he shall humble the oppressor.
Message for Sept.14,2007 to Patsy Soto just released
Meditation for September 14, 2007 - Feast of the Triumph of the Cross
Given - Monday, July 23, 2007 Feast of St. Bridget @9:30 am
Message from Jesus to Patsy Soto
Approved for Release July 23, 2007 by Reverend Fr. Bernard Carman, SAC
Sent Monday July 23, 2007 @ 10:33 am
Praise be to Jesus for Jesus is Lord, Savior, Redeemer and Reconciler of All Nations
Thank you My little one for opening your heart to Me this morning even though you are very tired and felt the difficulty in focusing on My Words, but know that I love you My little one and I am with you not only in your heart but within the deepest crevices of your being. You ask me how can this be when you feel so far from Me but you do not understand that I AM YOUR JESUS OF MERCY and My love surpasses all! It is why I died on the Holy Cross My little one because of My love for each one of you.
Many wonder, how can this be? How can someone offer their life, totally for one individual? Yes, My little one, if there was only one individual in this world, I would have allowed My Crucifixion for even that one individual . Yes, My children, I died for each one of you and yet you seem to forget this. Sin manifests because you allow sin in your lives which takes you away from Me, from My Graces, but not from MY LOVE! For I always love you even when your soul is stained with the stain of sin, I do not turn away from you, though you cannot receive my love within nor can the Holy Spirit reside in a soul stained with sin but my love does not stop.
Look upon My Image of your Jesus of Mercy, look at the rays which send forth from My Heart MY MERCY UPON EACH OF YOU, UPON THE WORLD! Do not turn away from My Grace, from My Love through the err of sin but return to Me your Jesus of Mercy for I have never left you nor will I ever leave you, on the contrary it is you who leaves ME! Look upon the Holy Cross and see Me, your Jesus of Mercy who died for EACH ONE OF YOU!
I love you my little one, and I bring very special blessings upon each of you my children who have come to be with Me and My Holy Mother on this very special mission of My Medjugorje Pilgrimage of My Novena For World Peace. Know as well that each of you here receive very special Graces upon your families and your world this day because of your sacrifice of love to Me your Jesus of Mercy.
Open My Little one to John Ch 8 Vs 43 - Why do you not know my speech? Because you cannot hear my word.
Vs 44 You are of your farther the devil, and the desires of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and he stood not in the truth; because truth is not in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
Vs 45 - But if I say the truth to you, why do you not believe me:
Vs 46 - Which of you shall convince me of sin? If I say the truth to you, why do you not believe me:
Vs 47 He that is of God, heareth the words of God. Therefore you hear them not, because you are not of God.
Ch10 Vs 14 - I am the good shepherd; and I know mine and mine know me.
Vs 15 - A the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father: and I lay down my life for my sheep.
Vs 16 - And other sheep I have, that are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.
Vs 18 - No man taketh it away from me; but I lay it down of myself, and I have power to lay it down: and I have power to take it up again. This commandment have I received of My Father.
Ch 12 Vs 26 - If any man minister to me, let him follow me; and where I am, there also shall my minister be. If any man minister t me, him will my Father honour.
Vs 27 Now my soul is troubled. And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour. But for this cause I came unto this hour.
Vs 28 Father, glorify thy name. A voice therefore came from heave; I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
I love you My children, I bless you My children, and as My Father has said on the day of My crucifixion I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again., This is a great feast day of the TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS! I AM YOUR JESUS OF MERCY! YOUR JESUS CRUCIFIED!
Message to Michael DiBitetto Jan.20,2008
THE T.R.U.S.T. PRAYER GROUP OF SHELTON, CT
January 20, 2008
Sunday evening 6:00 p.m.
Tonight we prayed The Marian Prayers
At the beginning of the 4th decade, Our Blessed Mother has appeared as…
“Our Lady Of Fatima”
Michael said: I bow down only to Jesus Christ
Blessed Mother replied: YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR MY SON JESUS CHRIST LOVES AND PROTECTS YOU.
- now over the picture of The Sacred Heart, St. Padre-Pio has appeared and he is celebrating mass.
-and now on the-wall … I see a LARGE BROWN CROSS …
-and now I see a LARGE BROWN ANCHOR
-and now I see The Holy Spirit as a ‘DOVE’ on the-wall … and It’s coming from –the-wall- and is going around the room, and It’s going “through” everyone’s heart … including everyone on the radio internet.
And now once again… I see …
"OUR LADY OF FATIMA"
MY DEAR … DEAR CHILDREN
…
WHERE DO I BEGIN? … DO I SPEAK OF LENT THAT IS APPROACHING FIRST? OR DO I SPEAK ABOUT … ‘HUMILITY AND PRIDE’ …
MY DEAR … DEAR CHILDREN …
YOU MUST HAVE … HUMILITY … YOU CAN NOT HAVE HUMILITY WITH PRIDE … LET ME TELL YOU THE DIFFERENCE …
PRIDE … IS THAT YOU WANT TO BE RECOGNIZED WHEN SOMETHING IS DONE
IT’S … LOOK WHAT I HAVE DONE …
I DID THIS … WASN’T THAT GREAT … WHAT I DID! …
I HELPED THIS ONE … CROSS THE STREET …
THIS IS ‘PRIDE’ MY DEAR CHILDREN …
YOU WANT PEOPLE TO SAY: WOW! LOOK WHAT THAT PERSON HAS DONE …
HOPE THEY CAN DO THAT FOR ME ONE DAY …
OR
DO YOU CHOOSE ‘HUMILITY’ ?
AND HUMILITY IS …
YOU DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE … AND YOU TELL NO ONE … WHAT
YOU HAVE DONE … LET THEM FIND OUT … FROM OTHER PEOPLE …
THE ONE THAT YOU HAD HELPED CAN TELL OTHER PEOPLE …
OR SOMEONE YOU HELP ACROSS THE STREET … AND SAY NOTHING TO
NO ONE THAT YOU HELPED SOMEONE CROSS THE STREET …
THIS IS HUMILITY …
YOU DO NOT WANT … TO BE NOTICED … ALL THE TIME …
ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES FROM ‘YOUR LIPS’ …
IT WILL COME OUT … FROM THE PEOPLE YOU HELPED …
SO PLEASE … I WOULD LOVE TO SEE … EVERYONE HAVE ‘HUMILITY’ …
AND NO PRIDE … AND LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF …
DO NOT HOLD ‘GRUDGES’ …
IF SOMEONE DOES WRONG … YES IT WILL NOT GO UNNOTICED …
BUT SPEAK IT OUT AND THEN PUT IT BEHIND YOU …
THE TIME IS GETTING SHORT … DAY BY DAY …
AND NOW … THE LENTEN SEASON IS APPROACHING … IN ABOUT TWO AND A HALF WEEKS … BEGINS ASH WEDNESDAY THE FIRST DAY OF LENT …
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE LENTEN SEASON? …
I DO HOPE MY CHILDREN … YOU ARE MORE PREPARED THIS YEAR
THAN YOU WERE LAST YEAR …
THINK OF WHAT YOU WANT TO DO FOR MY SON … DURING THE LENTEN SEASON … THINK STRONGLY ON IT … THINK WITH YOUR HEART …
THINK OF ‘WHAT’ MY SON DID FOR YOU …
MY DEAR … DEAR CHILDREN …
ONCE AGAIN I WILL SAY: THE TIMES ARE GETTING SHORT … DISASTERS … WILL CONTINUE … AND AS I HAVE SAID: THIS YEAR … MAJOR … MAJOR DISASTERS … HOW CAN YOU BE PREPARED … IF YOU DO NOT PRAY … HOW CAN YOU BE PREPARED … IF YOU DO NOT TRUST … AND HAVE FAITH IN MY SON YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST ? …
MY DEAR … DEAR CHILDREN
…
YOU MUST LIVE THE LIFE … THE WAY MY SON YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST … AND GOD OUR FATHER … WANTS YOU TO LIVE IT … WITH OUT LIES … WITH OUT HURTING PEOPLE … NOT JUST PHYSICALLY … BUT VERBALLY …
MY DEAR … DEAR CHILDREN
…
WHEN WILL YOU REALIZE … IF THINGS ARE NOT GOING THE WAY ‘YOU’ WANT … STOP AND THINK … AND LOOK WHAT YOU ARE DOING …
MY DEAR … DEAR CHILDREN …
PLEASE … ATTEND CONFESSION … OFTEN … DURING THE LENTEN SEASON … HAVE YOUR SOULS … CLEANSED … AND PREPARED FOR MY SON JESUS CHRIST … ATTEND MASS … AND RECEIVE … THE BODY OF MY SON YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST …
MY DEAR … DEAR CHILDREN
…
I LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY … VERY MUCH … AND I PROTECT YOU UNDER MY MANTLE … AND I BLESS YOU … IN THE NAME OF … OUR FATHER … MY SON … AND THE HOLY SPIRIT … AMEN.
(and now The Blessed Mother has disappeared. )
-and now over The picture of The Sacred Heart … St.Padre Pio has appeared and he’s still celebrating mass …
-and now over The picture of The Divine Mercy … The Holy Spirit has appeared and ray’s of light are coming down towards everyone in the prayer group …
-and now …on the wall … I see … St. Padre Pio … and he’s holding The Eucharist out towards the prayer group .. and They’re coming from his hand out one-at-a-time towards everyone in the prayer group … everyone is receiving Spiritual Communion from St. Padre Pio this evening
-Including everyone on the radio internet .
That is all for this evening … Thank you for joining us in prayer.
Message to Darrell Bennett Jan.21, 2008
MISSION MOMENTS
is provided by
Miracle of the Rosary Mission, Inc.
MissionMoments@ MiracleRosaryMis sion.org
Http://www.MiracleR osaryMission. org
Monday, January 21, 2008
BVM to db during 10:00AM Cenacle of Prayer
My children I love you. I love you always.
Dear children I love you with the love of God. I love you when you abide in His eternal embrace and I love you when you are estranged far from Him. I love you always with the love of God.
My dear children you cannot fathom how far this world and civilization have separated themselves from God. You cannot comprehend the changes that await you. Do not fear the future. Do not fear God. The Father awaits you. The Son leads you. The Holy Spirit enlightens and guides you. Do not fear the love of God.
Darrell Bennett, President
Miracle of the Rosary Mission, Inc.
1444C Hwy 1
Thibodaux, LA 70301
USA
TEL 985.448.3787
FAX 985.448.2175
MRM@MiracleRosaryMi ssion.org
rosary@charter. net
www.MiracleRosaryMi ssion.org
The Rock Religious Shop
5217A W Main
Houma, LA 70360
USA
TEL 985.223.2850
FAX 985.223.2849
TheRock@MiracleRosa ryMission. org
TheRockShop@ comcast.net
INDULGENCES ARE EXPRESSION OF GOD'S MERCY Part 1 of 2
Pope John Paul II
The Catholic teaching on indulgences was the theme of the Holy Father's catechesis at the General Audience of Wednesday, 29 September 1999, as he continued his reflection on the merciful Father's forgiveness of sins. "The starting-point for understanding indulgences is the abundance of God's mercy revealed in the Cross of Christ. The crucified Jesus is the great "indulgence" that the
Father has offered humanity through the forgiveness of sins and the possibility of living as children in the Holy Spirit, the Pope said. Here is a translation of his catechesis, which was the 27th in the series on God the Father and was given in Italian.
1. In close connection with the sacrament of Penance, our reflection today turns to a theme particularly related to the celebration of the Jubilee: I am referring to the gift of indulgences, which are offered in particular abundance during the Jubilee Year, as indicated in the Bull Incarnationis mysterium and the attached decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary.
It is a sensitive subject, which has suffered historical misunderstandings that have had a negative impact on communion between Christians. In the present ecumenical context, the Church is aware of the need for this ancient practice to be properly understood and accepted as a significant expression of God's mercy. Experience shows, in fact, that indulgences are sometimes received with superficial attitudes that ultimately frustrate God's gift and cast a shadow on the very truths and values taught by the Church.
2. The starting-point for understanding indulgences is the abundance of God's mercy revealed in the Cross of Christ. The crucified Jesus is the great "indulgence" that the Father has offered humanity through the forgiveness of sins and the possibility of living as children (cf. Jn 1:12-13) in the Holy Spirit (cf. Cal 4:6; Rom 5:5; 8:15-16).
God forgives but requires satisfaction
However, in the logic of the covenant, which is the heart of the whole economy of salvation, this gift does not reach us without our acceptance and response.
In the light of this principle, it is not difficult to understand how reconciliation with God, although based on a free and abundant offer of mercy, at the same time implies an arduous process which involves the individual's personal effort and the Church's sacramental work. For the forgiveness of sins committed after Baptism, this process is centred on the sacrament of Penance,
but it continues after the sacramental celebration. The person must be gradually "healed" of the negative effects which sin has caused in him (what the theological tradition calls the "punishments" and "remains" of sin).
3. At first sight, to speak of punishment after sacramental forgiveness might seem inconsistent. The Old Testament, however, shows us how normal it is to undergo reparative punishment after forgiveness. God, after describing himself as "a God merciful and gracious ... forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin", adds: "yet not without punishing" (Ex 34:6-7). In the Second Book of
Samuel, King David's humble confession after his grave sin obtains God's forgiveness (cf. 2 Sm 12:13), but not the prevention of the foretold chastisement (cf. ibid., 12:11; 16:21). God's fatherly love does not rule out punishment, even if the latter must always be understood as part of a merciful justice that re-establishes the violated order for the sake of man's own good (cf. Heb 12:4-11).
In this context temporal punishment expresses the condition of suffering of those who, although reconciled with God, are still marked by those "remains" of sin which do not leave them totally open to grace. Precisely for the sake of complete healing, the sinner is called to undertake a journey of conversion towards the fullness of love.
In this process God's mercy comes to his aid in special ways. The temporal punishment itself serves as "medicine" to the extent that the person allows it to challenge him to undertake his own profound conversion. This is the meaning of the "satisfaction" required in the sacrament of Penance.
<*}}}>< Half the Kingdom! <*}}}><
Lord, may everything we do begin with Your inspiration and continue with Your help,
so that all our prayers and works may begin in You and by You be happily ended.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
INDULGENCES ARE EXPRESSION OF GOD'S MERCY - Part 2 of 2
4. The meaning of indulgences must be seen against this background of man's total renewal by the grace of Christ the Redeemer through the Church's ministry. They began historically with the ancient Church's awareness of being able to express the mercy of God by mitigating the canonical penances imposed for the sacramental remission of sins. The mitigation was offset, however, by
personal and community obligations as a substitute for the punishment's "medicinal" purpose.
We can now understand how an indulgence is "a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints" (Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, Normae de Indulgentiis, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1999, p. 21; cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1471).
The Church has a treasury, then, which is "dispensed" as it were through indulgences. This "distribution" should not be understood as a sort of automatic transfer, as if we were speaking of "things". It is instead the expression of the Church's full confidence of being heard by the Father when in view of Christ's merits and, by his gift, those of Our Lady and the saints she asks him to mitigate or cancel the painful aspect of punishment by fostering its medicinal aspect through other channels of grace. In the unfathomable mystery of divine wisdom, this gift of intercession can also benefit the faithful departed, who receive its fruits in a way appropriate to their condition.
Inner conversion is required to benefit from indulgences
5. We can see, then, how indulgences, far from being a sort of "discount" on the duty of conversion, are instead an aid to its prompt, generous and radical fulfillment. This is required to such an extent that the spiritual condition for receiving a plenary indulgence is the exclusion "of all attachment to sin, even venial sin" (Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, p. 25).
Therefore, it would be a mistake to think that we can receive this gift by simply performing certain outward acts. On the contrary, they are required as the expression and support of our progress in conversion. They particularly show our faith in God's mercy and in the marvelous reality of communion, which Christ has achieved by indissolubly uniting the Church to himself as his Body and Bride.
Taken from:
L'Osservatore Romano
Weekly Edition in English
6 October 1999, page 15
L'Osservatore Romano is the newspaper of the Holy See.
The Weekly Edition in English is published for the US by:
The Cathedral Foundation, L'Osservatore Romano English Edition
320 Cathedral St., Baltimore, MD 21201,
Subscriptions: (410) 547-5315, Fax: (410) 332-1069, lormail@catholicrev iew.org
<*}}}>< Half the Kingdom! <*}}}><
Lord, may everything we do begin with Your inspiration and continue with Your help,
so that all our prayers and works may begin in You and by You be happily ended.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.