"I believe in the remission of sins"
Catechesis by Pope John Paul II on the History of Salvation
General Audience, Wednesday 8 September 1999 - in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese & Spanish
"Dear Brothers and Sisters,
1. Continuing our reflection on the meaning of conversion, today we will also try to understand the meaning of the forgiveness of sins offered to us by Christ through the sacramental mediation of the Church.
First of all, we want to consider the biblical message about God's forgiveness: a message that is amply developed in the Old Testament and reaches its fullness in the New. The Church has inserted this article of her faith into the Creed itself, where in fact she professes the forgiveness of sins: Credo in remissionem peccatorum.
2. The Old Testament speaks to us in various ways about the forgiveness of sins. In this regard we find a variety of terms: sin is "forgiven", "blotted out" (Ex 32: 32), "purged" (Is 6: 7), "cast behind your back" (Is 38: 17). For example, Psalm 103 says, "who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases" (v. 3). "He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor requite us according to our iniquities.... As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear him" (vv. 10, 13).
God's willingness to forgive does not lessen man's responsibility and his need to be converted. However, as the prophet Ezekiel stresses, if the wicked man turns away from his wrongful behaviour his sins will not be remembered and he will live (cf. Ez 18, especially vv. 19-22).
3. In the New Testament, God's forgiveness is revealed through Jesus' words and deeds. In pardoning sins, Jesus shows the face of God the merciful Father. By opposing certain religious tendencies marked by hypocritical severity towards sinners, he shows on various occasions how great and profound is the Father's mercy towards all his children (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1443).
The high point of this revelation can be considered the sublime parable which is usually called "the prodigal son", but which should be called "the merciful father" (Lk 15: 11-32). Here God's attitude is presented in terms that are truly overwhelming in comparison with human criteria and expectations. The father's conduct in the parable can be understood in all its originality, if we keep in mind that in the social context of Jesus' time it was normal for sons to work in their father's house, like the two sons of the vineyard owner, of whom he speaks in another parable (cf. Mt 21: 28-31). This system continued until the father's death, and only then did the sons divide the property they had inherited. In our case, instead, the father agrees to give the younger son his share of the inheritance and divides his possessions between him and his elder son (cf. Lk 15: 12).
4. The younger son's decision to be emancipated, squandering the goods he had received from his father and living a dissolute life (cf. ibid., 15: 13), is a shameless rejection of family communion. Leaving the father's house clearly expresses the meaning of sin as an act of ungrateful rebellion with its humanly painful consequences. Human reasonableness, in some way expressed in the elder brother's protest, would have recommended an appropriately severe punishment for the younger son's decision before he could fully rejoin the family.
But the father, catching sight of him while still a long way off, runs to meet him full of compassion (or better, "inwardly moved with pity", as the Greek text literally says: Lk 15: 20), embraces him lovingly and wants everyone to celebrate with him.
The father's mercy is even more apparent when he tenderly reprimands the elder brother for demanding his own rights (cf. ibid., 15: 29f.), and invites him to the communal banquet of joy. Mere legalism is surpassed by the father's generous and gratuitous love, which exceeds human justice and calls both brothers to be seated again at the father's table.
Forgiveness consists not only in taking back under the paternal roof the son who has left, but also in welcoming him with the joy of restored communion, bringing him from death to life. This is why "it was fitting to make merry and be glad" (ibid., 15: 32).
The merciful Father who embraces the prodigal son is the definitive icon of God revealed by Christ. First and foremost he is Father. It is God the Father who extends his arms in blessing and forgiveness, always waiting, never forcing any of his children. His hands support, clasp, give strength and, at the same time, comfort, console and caress. They are the hands of both a father and a mother.
The merciful father in the parable possesses and transcends all the traits of fatherhood and motherhood. In throwing himself on his son's neck, he resembles a mother who caresses her son and surrounds him with her warmth. In the light of this revelation of the face and heart of God the Father, we can understand Jesus' saying, so disconcerting to human logic: "There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance" (ibid., 15: 7). And: "There is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (ibid., 15: 10).
5. The mystery of "home-coming" wonderfully expresses the encounter between the Father and humanity, between mercy and misery, in a circle of love that touches not only the son who was lost, but is extended to all.
The invitation to the banquet which the father extends to the elder son implies the heavenly Father's exhortation to all the members of the human family to be merciful as well.
The experience of God's fatherhood implies the acceptance of "brotherhood", precisely because God is the Father of all, even of our erring brother.
In recounting this parable, Jesus does not only speak of the Father but also lets us glimpse his own sentiments. To the Pharisees and the scribes who accused him of receiving sinners and eating with them (cf. ibid., 15: 2), he shows his preference for the sinners and tax collectors who were approaching him with trust (cf. ibid., 15: 1), and thus reveals that he has been sent to manifest the Father's mercy. This is the mercy that shines brightly especially on Golgotha, in the sacrifice offered by Christ for the forgiveness of sins (cf. Mt 26: 28). "
After the Catechesis, Papa Giovanni Paolo II greeted the pilgrims in various languages:
Je salue cordialement les pèlerins francophones. Que leur séjour à Rome affermisse leur foi! Avec la Bénédiction apostolique.
I warmly welcome the members of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums from Detroit, and the group of altar servers from Malta. I thank the choirs from Orlando for their praise of God in song. Upon all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors, especially those from Ireland, Denmark, Sri Lanka, Japan, and the United States of America, I invoke the abundant blessings of Almighty God
Herzlich grüße ich die vielen Pilger und Besucher aus den Ländern deutscher Sprache. Besonders möchte ich heute die folgenden Gruppen erwähnen: die Leser des "Paulinus" aus dem Bistum Trier und Pilger aus dem Frankenwald in der Erzdiözese Bamberg sowie Stipendiaten der Deutschen Bischofskonferenz. Nicht vergessen möchte ich die Ordensschwestern, die in La Storta an einer geistlichen Erneuerung teilnehmen. Gern erteile ich Euch, Euren Lieben daheim sowie allen, die mit uns über Radio Vatikan und das Fernsehen verbunden sind, den Apostolischen Segen.
Doy la bienvenida a los peregrinos procedentes de España, Chile, México, Venezuela, Argentina y demás países latinoamericanos. Invocando sobre todos vosotros la infinita ternura de Dios Padre, rico en misericordia, os bendigo de corazón.
Saúdo cordialmente os peregrinos de língua portuguesa que participam desta Audiência e, de modo particular, os que aqui se encontram provindos de Portugal e do Brasil. Agradeço a todos a presença e participação nesta prece comum, e convido a reavivar a fé em Cristo nosso Salvador, que por amor nos redimiu e nos chamou a viver como irmãos na justiça e na paz. A todos dou de coração a minha Bênção, que faço extensiva aos vossos familiares e pessoas amigas.
Serdecznie pozdrawiam członków Stowarzyszenia Wychowanków Akademii Górniczo-Hutniczej w Krakowie (AGH). Reprezentujecie w jakiś sposób wszystkich, którzy swoją wiedzą i doświadczeniem wspieraja, rozwój przemysłu, szczególnie ciężkiego. Wiem, że dziś w naszym kraju bardzo potrzeba tej waszej posługi. Niech dobry Bóg wspomaga wasze wysiłki, jakie podejmujecie dla wspólnego dobra. Z serca wam błogosławię!
Równocześnie też witam innych pielgrzymów z Polski: z Oświęcimia - władze miasta i parafię św. Józefa, z Ostrołęki - Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Jana Pawła II; parafie z Białobrzegów, Kępna, Poniatowej, Sandomierza i Wrocławia; młodzież z Chorzeli, Gdańska, Katowic, Legnicy, Torunia, Zambrowa i Krzyżewa, Zielonki i Wrocławia oraz Polską Misję Katolicką, z Freiburga.
Zapamiętajcie sobie, że głównym tematem dzisiejszej katechezy była przypowieść o synu marnotrawnym. Wystarczy, że to zapamiętacie, bo wszystko się w tym zawiera. Przypowieść o synu marnotrawnym mogłaby się też nazywać przypowieścią o Bogu Miłosiernym, Ojcu Miłosiernym. To była główna treść dzisiejszej katechezy.
Pochwalony Jezus Chrystus!
Traduzione italiana del saluto in lingua neerlandese
Adesso saluto tutti i pellegrini belgi e neerlandesi.
Auguro che il vostro pellegrinaggio ai luoghi sacri vi permetta di avere un approccio alle radici della civiltà cristiana, e rafforzi il vostro amore ed il vostro impegno per la Chiesa nel vostro paese.
Di cuore imparto la Benedizione Apostolica.
Sia lodato Gesù Cristo!
Traduzione italiana del saluto in lingua ungherese
Saluto cordialmente i pellegrini ungheresi da Fertórákos.
Per l’intercessione della Vergine di cuore benedico voi e tutti Vostri cari.
Sia lodato Gesù Cristo!
Traduzione italiana del saluto in lingua lituana
Con grande gioia accolgo il gruppo dei pellegrini e dei visitatori giunti dalla Lituania.
Cari Fratelli e Sorelle, vi saluto di cuore e nella preghiera invoco su tutti voi, sulle vostre famiglie e sull'intero popolo lituano l'abbondanza dei doni celesti. Sia lodato Gesù Cristo.
Traduzione italiana del saluto in lingua slovacca
Saluto con affetto i pellegrini slovacchi da Bratislava, Holíc e Kazimír.
Cari fratelli e sorelle, quattro anni fa ho iscritto nel Martirologio della Chiesa i tre Martiri di Košice, di cui abbiamo celebrato ieri la festa. Questi Martiri ci ripetono con san Paolo: “Chi ci separerà dall’amor di Cristo?” (Rom 8, 35).
Il coraggio dei Martiri di Košice sia per ciascuno di voi incoraggiamento alla vita fedele del Vangelo. Vi aiutino in questo l’intercessione dei Santi Marco, Stefano e Melchiorre e anche la mia Benedizione Apostolica.
Sia lodato Gesù Cristo!
Traduzione italiana del saluto in lingua slovena
Saluto i partecipanti del simposio scientifico, organizzato dall’Accademia teologica slovena sul s. di Dio Frederico Baraga, zelante missionario nel secolo passato degli Indiani negli Stati Uniti e promotore della loro cultura etnica. Paternamente benedico voi ed il vostro lavoro.
* * *
Rivolgo ora un cordiale saluto a tutti i pellegrini di lingua italiana. In particolare, saluto i fedeli della Diocesi di Caltagirone, guidati dal Vescovo Monsignor Vincenzo Manzella. Cari fratelli e sorelle, mentre vi esprimo l'apprezzamento per questa iniziativa in preparazione al Grande Giubileo dell'Anno 2000, auspico di cuore che essa valga a rafforzare il vostro impegno di testimonianza cristiana nella società.
Saluto i fedeli della Parrocchia Santa Croce e San Clemente di Mercato San Severino, venuti per far incoronare la Statua della Madonna Addolorata, recentemente restaurata. Carissimi, auspico che tale provvida iniziativa pastorale valga a rafforzare in voi il fervore spirituale e l'autentica devozione verso la Madre di Dio.
Saluto poi i membri dell'associazione "Casato Soldi", venuti per ricordare il cinquantesimo anniversario di fondazione del sodalizio.
Il mio pensiero, pieno di affetto, si rivolge ora a voi, cari giovani, malati e cari sposi novelli.
A voi, cari ragazzi e ragazze, l’odierna Festa della Natività di Maria ricorda che la giovinezza non è solo una tappa della vostra crescita, ma uno stato d'animo da coltivare nella purezza delle intenzioni e delle azioni.
Per voi, cari malati e sofferenti, questa Festa è un invito alla speranza: Maria, nella sua umiltà e nella sua evangelica "piccolezza" vi è vicina e vi sostiene con la dolcezza di una sorella e la sollecitudine di una madre.
E voi, cari sposi novelli, che iniziate la straordinaria avventura di una nuova famiglia, guardate a Maria: questa Donna meravigliosa vuole entrare nelle vostre case, per riempirle di gioia nell'ora della festa e di conforto nel momento della prova.
A tutti di cuore imparto la Benedizione Apostolica.
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