What Catholics Believe: Part 3

This is the last post on the conversations I had with Joe in October. I am glad I was able to post it before the real business of Advent starts this week. So, our conversation continued:

Joe: "Just one more today. I don't understand confession. Why do Catholics think they must go to a priest to confess their sins? Why do priests think they can forgive sins? Only God can forgive sins."

Fr. Chris: That's a difficult one for many people to understand, even Catholics. Let's start with saying that only God can forgive sins. While this is true, it isn't complete. Ultimately, God forgives our sins. But that authority to forgive sins in His name is given to us as well.

Joe: "Where do Catholics get that idea?"

Fr. Chris: Christ himself gives priests the power to forgive sins. After his resurrection, Christ appears to the Apostles and says to them "Receive the Holy Spirit. Those sins you forgive are forgiven. Those sins you bound are held bound" (A reference to John 20: 22-23). He gave them the power to forgive sins after his resurrection because he was ascending to heave shortly. Someone had to continue to forgive people's sins in his name just like he did for the adulterer and the lepers and so on.

Joe: "Ok. So the Apostles were given the power to forgive sin. But priests are not the Apostles. The Apostles are dead."

Fr. Chris: You're right. The Apostles are dead and I am certainly not an Apostle. But if the power to forgive sins was only for the Apostles then what happened after they died? Does that mean we couldn't have our sins forgiven because we were born after the Apostles?

Joe: But he said that specifically to the Apostles. Not to anyone else.

Fr. Chris: That's exactly my point. If only the Apostles could forgive sins and he knew they were going to die, why give them that power at all. Only those who lived when the Apostles did could have their sins forgiven. But if that power to forgive sins was passed from the Apostles to their successors then Christ had a way to continue to forgive sins forever.

Joe: "Oh. I see."

Fr. Chris: We know that there were successors to the Apostles. For example, Christ's choice of St. Paul as an Apostle, even though he wasn't there when Christ gave the Apostles this authority, is confirmed by St. Peter. Then, St. Paul, as an Apostle chosen by Christ himself, appoints Timothy and Titus during his journeys. We see the structure and authority of the Church beginning to be built right in the New Testament.

Joe: "So, you are saying that priests are able to forgive sins because of the authority passed down from the Apostles throughout the centuries?"

Fr. Chris: Essentially that is correct.

Joe: "Man, I have a lot to think about. We better stop for today. I have enough stuff to last me a month."

Fr. Chris: That is a lot to digest. If you have any questions before we meet again just email me or call. I will post this on the blog site as soon as I can."

Joe: "Ok. I will call you about setting up a time to meet again. It may be after the holidays, though…"

We talked about what he was going to do for the holidays and a little about how he thought this was going so far, but I don't see any reason to post that stuff.

Well, that brings us up-to-date on my conversations with Joe. I am sorry it took me so long to post this last part of the talk. Joe is excited about meeting again after the first of the year. So, I encourage you again, to post your thoughts and insights to this last conversation. Thanks again for your patience with this. Until next time…God bless.

posted by: crossman at 07:02 | link | comments |
blog