Let’s drag out the old broken window analogy.
You are playing ball and end up breaking a neighbor’s window. You are terribly sorry and go immediately to apologize to the neighbor. The neighbor forgives you happily. However, there remains the problem of the broken window that needs fixing. Since you broke it, it is only just that you should pay for it.
Breaking the window represents the sin.
Apologizing to the neighbor represents your contrition and confession.
The forgiveness given by the neighbor represents forgiveness and absolution, which take away the eternal punishment (hell) due to the sin. You and the neighbor are still friends; you and God are still on good terms.
Paying for the broken window represents the temporal punishment for the sin, such as time in purgatory or voluntary penance.
Normally, you would have to save your allowance, dip into savings or get an extra job to pay for the window. When you have an indulgence, God comes along and says, “I’ll take care of it for you. I’ll pay the neighbor.” God can pay all of the cost (plenary indulgence) or part of it (partial indulgence).
Nowadays, indulgences are described as either plenary or partial, with no expression of the “value” of a partial indulgence, other than its increasing the merit of whatever work you do or prayer you say to obtain it. Kissing one’s scapular would be a partial indulgence.
Hope this helps.
Betsy
