CATHOLIC INDULGENCES

We are all living in the dispensation of the jubilee that we have come to call Pilgrimage of Hope. Indulgence is a central part of the message of this jubilee. Whenever we look for God, it has the implication of purification of our reality of sin is not something foreign. It’s always our decision, choice and doing, and we cannot reach forgiveness once we know that we have destroyed the bridge, which links us to God. Once we have been forgiven not everything has been done, we still have other things to address as indulgence of our sins.

CONSCIENCE

This Psalm 50/51 … Lord have mercy on me God in your goodness…. I am the guilty one, it’s my offense. We need God, for us children of the Catholic Church, our sins are forgiven through the sacrament of reconciliation.

IMAGES

(LK 15) The prodigal son is embraced and kissed as the sign of full forgiveness (v.22) but his father ordered his servants (….) There was still something missing (Sandals etc.). There is still amendment of conversion not going again in the same direction. God is not limited but ours are limited for God has infinite love. (2 kg 4:1-7). The poor woman and the oil vessels, the image is very evident. Our human situations are limited and we are unable to receive all graces.

We are not perfect, we are all sinners and we cannot commit more sin. This means humanly speaking that we are not strong to fight sin by ourselves. Penance is symbolic in form of a little prayer and done in a free act. Penance refers to sin that prepares the repentant have to get a new outlook and wear of coat with medicinal aspects.

Martin Luther walked away from the Church because of her teaching about indulgence (discount) and today we may find ourselves in the same trap when we find ourselves building a hospital, constructing a bridge doing social works, giving up some of your property to help other works. All these we may have the risk of thinking that we are paying for indulgences, materialistic act without any other implications. Indulgence helps us to purify our actions.

HOW CAN WE RECEIVE THE GIFT OF INDULGENCE?

-          The visit to Rome for those who will be able to afford the pilgrimage cost. But to those who will remain know that their pilgrimage may be done to those churches designated in our parishes.

-          The visit to Holy Land or sanctuaries within our dioceses or near you.

-          Pilgrimage to other ecclesiastical territories, participation in liturgical celebrations that ends with the prayer of Our Father, prayer to the Virgin Mary.

-          Making a pilgrimage with Christ to the handicapped, sick, and in orphanages, that ends with prayer.

-          Through actions which are expressed in charity, abstain from smoking, donating a proportion or some sum of money to the poor, supporting religious works by significant contribution. Personal free time for community work volunteering.

WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR US

Ø a)  Going for confession

Ø  b) Participating actively and solemnly in Eucharistic celebrations

Ø  c)Personal conversion

Ø  Building in us the act of communion that recreates in us the mystical body of Christ. We are also called upon to be generous to the brothers and sisters who have also departed. There are so many whom we know who have gone before us in heaven who need to be prayed.