The Authority To Forgive Sin

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Thursday of 13th Week in Ordinary Time,  Year 1, July 1st, 2021
Texts: Gen. 22: 1-19; Ps.116:1-9; Mtt. 9:1-8
The message in today's gospel reading is that God has given man authority to forgive sins in Christ. Hence, it is said, "When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men." This brings to mind the word of Moses: "For this Law which I am laying down for you today is neither obscure for you nor beyond your reach. It is not in heaven, so that you need to wonder, 'Who will go up to heaven for us and bring it down to us, so that we can hear and practise it?' Nor is it beyond the seas, so that you need to wonder, 'Who will cross the seas for us and bring it back to us, so that we can hear and practise it?' No, the word is very near to you, it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to put into practice" (Deut. 30:11-14). The point here is that in Christ salvation has been brought need to us. Sin is what deprives man of salvation and God has given the power to forgive sins to man. The authority to forgive sins is entrusted to priests. We should always approach the confessional to be made whole.
Jesus Christ reminds us, today, that it is an unholy thought to doubt or deny the efficacy of the sacrament of confession. It is said, "But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven, ’or to say ‘Rise and walk’?" The authority to forgive sins is as much real as the authority to heal. As God can use man to bring about healing so also He can use man to bring about forgiveness of sins. Let not miss the opportunity God has given us; let us always make use of it. We have no excuse any longer to die in our sins. Let us make effort to always approach the confessional for forgiveness of our sins.
Jesus Christ won for us the authority to forgive sins by His sacrifice on the Cross. On the Cross He made atonement for our sins. This action is the fulfilment of the prophecy of Abraham in the first reading:  “God will provide himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.”  Jesus Christ is the lamb provided by God for the burnt offering. Burnt offering is meant to propitiate for sin in general. Jesus Christ is offered for the forgiveness of sins of the world. At confessional the efficacy of the sacrifice is applied through the words of absolution by a validly ordained priest.

Lord our God, we thank You for winning for us the authority to forgive sins, grant that we may not abuse the authority but make use of it for our salvation. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke