catholic teachings on forgiveness

Question 1

gospel of matthew on forgiveness

Answer 1

• jesus taught ‘parable of the unmerciful servant’
• makes it clear there’s no limit to forgiveness. main message is that God will forgive those and show mercy to those who are willing to forgive and show mercy: ‘Jesus answered, “I tell you, nit seven times, but seventy seven times”
• importance of forgiveness shown in Lord’s prayer (Our father)
• Catholics asked God to “forgive their sins, as they forgive those who have sinned against them”. means catholics can only expect to receive forgiveness from god if they are forgiving towards others
• in the beatitudes, jesus teaches “blessed are the peacemakers”

Question 2

other teachings on forgiveness

Answer 2

• many examples from Jesus’ life for christian’s to follow.
• Jesus forgave woman accused of adulterous in the gospel of john, telling her to “go and sin no more”
• parable of the prodigal son is one of jesus’ best known stories. some think it should be called the parable of the forgiving father because the father forgives his son and welcomes him back even though he had done wrong
• jesus showed forgiveness in last moments if his life as he was being out to death. while he was on the cross he says “Father, forgive them”

Question 3

should catholics always forgive or is forgiveness just letting people off?

Answer 3

• in the bible, there is conflict between forgiveness and punishment
• jesus speaks about justice as well as forgiveness. also spoke about God’s punishment for wrong-doers in the next life
• On Judgment day, God will judge humans according to how they have truly behaved. if they have behaved justify they will be rewarded in heaven. it is up to god to judge people and he will forgive those who are truly sorry for what they have done and want to change
• many christian’s believe punishment and forgiveness can go together
• many christian’s would see the main aim of punishment as being to help the person involved to reform