Duty of Reparation

[1AspiringSaint1]

Hey all,

So I was reading a little bit of the Catechism today, and I stumbled upon this paragraph:

Every offense committed against justice and truth entails the duty of reparation, even if its author has been forgiven. When it is impossible publicly to make reparation for a wrong, it must be made secretly. If someone who has suffered harm cannot be directly compensated, he must be given moral satisfaction in the name of charity. This duty of reparation also concerns offenses against another’s reputation. This reparation, moral and sometimes material, must be evaluated in terms of the extent of the damage inflicted. It obliges in conscience

So I am really worried at the current moment about this. I never knew that this was a requirement, and I have definitely told lies in the past (mortal sins), but I hardly ever went back and told the truth to the person I lied to. Does this mean that my sins were not forgiven.

Also, what about times where I committed an offense “against justice and truth” but they weren’t mortal sins because I didn’t have full knowledge or give full consent (ex: cheating in school w/o knowing it was a mortal sin) … do I still need to make a reparation?

Some advice would be helpful to give me some peace of mind. Thanks

 

[1AspiringSaint1]

Side note:

I am almost certain that I would have lied much less, and probably never cheated in school if I knew that I was required to (a) tell the person I lied to what I did or (b) tell the teacher that I cheated. Without this knowledge, I would not be committing a mortal sin correct? since I didn’t have all the details

I feel like this is something that will greatly benefit me in the long-run (knowing that we are required to make reparation for sins against justice and truth) because it seems like a very embarrassing and awkward encounter. It is a real shame that this stuff isn’t really taught very often (if it is, that is news to me).

 

[Billy112]

This is about stealing- you are not obliged to tell people that you have lied, especially when it is in the past and bringing it up could bring injury to others or to you. Of course you should tell the truth if something is an immediate matter of grave importance, but you are not at all obliged to open up old wounds. Be at peace- I’m a revert and have worried a lot about my past, too. I’m with you.

 

[1AspiringSaint1]

This is about stealing- you are not obliged to tell people that you have lied, especially when it is in the past and bringing it up could bring injury to others or to you. Of course you should tell the truth if something is an immediate matter of grave importance, but you are not at all obliged to open up old wounds. Be at peace- I’m a revert and have worried a lot about my past, too. I’m with you.

Actually this part of the catechism about bearing false witness, so it’s not about stealing.

I do want to agree that I don’t need to bring it up, but I feel like that is just the easy way out. I think when it comes to lying, the person you lied to is the one you should apologize to, but my other example about cheating in school has MANY side effects.

I think that I probably just need to trust in God’s mercy and understanding, since I was unaware of this need to make reparation before I committed the acts. And maybe make an act of private reparation for the possible impact my sins could cause.

 

[Billy112]

Actually this part of the catechism about bearing false witness, so it’s not about stealing.

I do want to agree that I don’t need to bring it up, but I feel like that is just the easy way out. I think when it comes to lying, the person you lied to is the one you should apologize to, but my other example about cheating in school has MANY side effects.

I think that I probably just need to trust in God’s mercy and understanding, since I was unaware of this need to make reparation before I committed the acts. And maybe make an act of private reparation for the possible impact my sins could cause.

I particularly enjoy praying the novena to Our Lady Undoer of Knots for the knots that I have tied in the lives of others-

theholyrosary.org/maryundoerknots

 

[nodito]

So I am really worried at the current moment about this. I never knew that this was a requirement, and I have definitely told lies in the past (mortal sins), but I hardly ever went back and told the truth to the person I lied to. Does this mean that my sins were not forgiven.

When you receive absolution in the sacrament your sins are forgiven. This is made explicit in the quote you provided “even if its author has been forgiven.” You can’t ever be un-forgiven for something, regardless of whether you forget to do your penance or fail to do reparation. You also cannot be compelled to reveal your sins to a third party (For examplem if the priest said, I won’t forgive you unless you tell your teacher that you cheated.) hat said, you do still have a duty to make reparation and this will look differently for different sins. I would suggest asking your priest in confession, “Father, what should I do to make reparation for my pasts sins of lying and cheating?” Off the top of my head, I wonder if you could offer to help tutor a child struggling in school (thus helping them avoid the temptation to cheat) or praying for the people you misled.

 

[1AspiringSaint1]

When you receive absolution in the sacrament your sins are forgiven. This is made explicit in the quote you provided “even if its author has been forgiven.” You can’t ever be un-forgiven for something, regardless of whether you forget to do your penance or fail to do reparation. You also cannot be compelled to reveal your sins to a third party (For examplem if the priest said, I won’t forgive you unless you tell your teacher that you cheated.) hat said, you do still have a duty to make reparation and this will look differently for different sins. I would suggest asking your priest in confession, “Father, what should I do to make reparation for my pasts sins of lying and cheating?” Off the top of my head, I wonder if you could offer to help tutor a child struggling in school (thus helping them avoid the temptation to cheat) or praying for the people you misled.

Wow thank you! This is a great idea! I went to confession today and felt much more at ease! I have recently been praying a rosary for those I might have previously deceived, and that also seems to be easing my mind