Portals of Mercy

First, of course is the “start-off-clean” sacrament. Baptism removes original sin, which is “’contracted’ and now ‘committed’  - a state and not an act” (CCC, #404), This is the sin that Romans 5:12 describes: “[S]in came into the world through one man, and so death spread to all because all have sinned.”

The baptism of non-infants also remits personal sin: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven” (Acts 2:38).

The second portal of mercy is the sacrament of reconciliation (improperly called “confession,” which is only the penitent’s act of relating his sins to the priest). This sacrament is the most perfect door of escape from the prison cell of sin, because Jesus instituted it precisely for that purpose alone. He arranged for it to be channeled only through the apostles and their clergy successors: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you….If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John 20:21-23).

Besides conferring God’s “negative mercy” – sin removal – this sacrament also confers more of God’s “positive mercy” – namely, a restoration or increase of sanctifying grace (see 2 Peter 1:4), a surge of actual grace to discern better what is sinful and be able to avoid it  (Philippians 2:13), an inflow of sacramental grace that intensifies contrition (2 Corinthians 7:10), an increase of merit or heavenly reward (1 Corinthians 3:13 -15) and finally, a special spiritual intimacy with Christ in his gentle mercy (Matthew 11:28).

Third, we have the portal of the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, which was formerly called extreme unction. “Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord…[A]nd the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven” (James 5:14-15).

Fourth, we enter the freedom of God’s mercy through repentance, also known as contrition. Either “perfect” (based on love of God) or “imperfect” contrition (also called “attrition,” based on fear of punishment)  can educe forgiveness of sin. Even without sacramental confession and its many special advantages just listed, perfect contrition by itself suffices to remove mortal sin. However, ecclesiastical law, not divine law requires that any such forgiven mortal sins be “submitted to the keys” of the Church’s power in the sacrament of reconciliation, if available, before receiving Communion. Meanwhile, if no confession is available or if the sins are doubtfully mortal,, Communion may be received after a preparation by perfect contrition (see CCC, #1452).

Imperfect contrition is not a sufficient preparation for Communion after mortal or doubtfully mortal sin. But with confession, imperfect contrition suffices to remove any sin. The Council of Trent affirmed all this (see CCC. #1453).

Fifth, an act of sincere love of God that would imply a deep regret of having offended him as the beloved of the soul also gives entrance to God’s mercy. This act would contain implicitly an act of perfect contrition and hence would be conditioned by the above statements regarding perfect contrition. “I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little” (Luke 7:47).

Sixth, an act of sincere fraternal charity – that is, an act of love of God as his presence is recognized in another human – brings us to mercy in another way: “We know that we have passed from death to life because we love one another. Whoever does not love abides in death” (1 John 3:14). This Christ-focused fraternal charity also would contain perfect contrition implicitly and hence open us to the above conditions.

Given these six routes of “escape from the prison of sin,” we can only marvel at how the Lord strives to give us every opportunity to be free of the bondage and confinement of sin. It seems that he strives to exhaust his divine ingenuity in finding ways to shower us with his loving mercy. All that is required of us isi to reach out to him and be caught up in his embrace of mercy.

There’s a bumper sticker that says, “If you feel far from God, guess who moved1” That is a reversible separation , as David showed in his simple prayer: “Draw near to me, redeem me, set me free” (Psalm 69:18). Yet, countless souls have become calloused in not recognizing the Lord’s yearning to embrace us in his mercy: “I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love….like those who lift infants to their cheeks” (Hosea 11:3-4). 

This excerpt is from the book The Awesome Mercy of God, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Books. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.