The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

"""390 THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS.our Saviour did confer on the Apostles, and theirsuccessors, the power to forgiveWe sins ?have the most positive testimony, and ourSaviour s words conferring this power are expressedin the plainest language, which admits of no misconception. In the Gospel of St. Matthew, ourSaviour thus addresses Peter : Thou art Peter,and on this rock I will build My Church. . . .And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom ofheaven, and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earthshall be bound also in heaven, and whatsoever thoushalt loose on earth shall be loosed also in heaven."And to all the Apostles assembled together onanother occasion, He uses the same forcible language : Whatsoever you shall bind on earth shallbe bound also in heaven, and whatsoever you shallloose on earth shall be loosed also in heaven." aThe soul is enchained by sin. I give you power,says our Lord, to release the penitent soul from itsgalling fetters, and to restore it to the liberty of achild of God.And in the Gospel of St. John we have a stillmore striking declaration of the absolving powergiven by our Saviour to His Apostles.Jesus, after His resurrection, thus addresses Hisdisciples: Peace be to you. As the Father hathsent Me, I also send you. Receive . . . ye the HolyGhost; whose sins ye shall forgive, they are for1 Matt. xvi. 18, 19. Matt, xviii. 18.