Byzantine Catholic funeral concludes with this absolution prayer:I have read, though I am uncertain as to the accuracy of it, that in some Eastern Orthodox rites an absolution is prayed over the deceased in case she had any sins that needed to be absolved at the time of death. Is this true of any Eastern Catholic funeral or other rites?
I tend to read it that way too except I’m not sure how interpreting it as an absolution means Jesus submits to humans. We must cooperate with Christ in the sacraments or they avail us not. Even an absolution in the sacrament of confession cannot magically heal me and restore me to graces if I do not truly repent. I’m not sure exactly what you mean.I don’t read it that way.
It seems that such an interpretation would mean that Jesus submits to humans. It is however the other way around.
I see int he Byzantine prayer, an expression of hope and faith in the saving power of Jesus Christ.
By the time of the funeral the fate is decided, so it is a way for us to proclaim faith and stand in union with the whole communion of Saints expressing our desire for the faithful to enter salvation,
Matt. 12:3232 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but he that shall speak against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world, nor in the world to come.Does this indicate that sins can be forgiven after death?
Matt. 12:3232 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but he that shall speak against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world, nor in the world to come.
Haydock commentary:
— Nor in the world to come. From these words St. Augustine (De Civ. lib. xxi. chap. 13.) and St. Gregory (Dial. iv, chap. 39.) gather, that some sins may be remitted in the world to come; and consequently that there is a purgatory, or a middle place. (Challoner) — St. Augustine says these words would not be true, if some sins were not forgiven in the world to come; and St. Gregory says, we are to believe from these words in the existence of the fire of purgatory, to expiate our smaller offences, before the day of judgment. St. Isidore and Ven. Bede say the same. St. Bernard, speaking of heretics, says, they do not believe in purgatory: let them then inquire of our Saviour, what he meant by these words. — It is well known that Ven. Bede, on his death-bed, bestowed several small tokens to the monks who were present, that they might remember to pray for his soul in the holy sacrifice of the mass. (Haydock)
It can be forgiven if one repents as you said. It refers to someone who dies rejecting God. Their destiny is sealed and they cannot be forgiven in this world or the world to come.That verse has always puzzled me. How can blasphemy of the spirit not be forgiven even in this life if one repents, goes to confession, and receives absolution?
Blaspheming the Holy Spirit has been taught as the sin of apostasy/rejection of God. Such a sin cannot be forgiven because we choose to not have it forgiven. We choose to reject Gods gift.The verse quoted says a person cannot be forgiven this world nor in the world to come. So how can he ever be forgiven even in this life?
In that passage Jesus is admonishing people for attributing miracles to the devil, blasphemy against the spirit. Blasphemy against the Father and Son is forgivable.
St. John Chrysostom wrote a commentary on this, that the Jews are not to be forgiven this sin in this world or to come because they were punished for it, in their present life through the Romans, and after death in the pains of hell.That verse has always puzzled me. How can blasphemy of the spirit not be forgiven even in this life if one repents, goes to confession, and receives absolution?
I also read something similar to that. I read that Eastern Orthodox believe that the fervent prayers of the faithful may, in some limited cases, relieve a soul from hell. I hope that someone would correct me on this, because that seems to me pretty similar to the Roman Catholic belief in Purgatory, although from what I understand (again I could be wrong) the Eastern Orthodox do not believe in Purgatory and they do not make a distinction between venial and mortal sin.I have read, though I am uncertain as to the accuracy of it, that in some Eastern Orthodox rites an absolution is prayed over the deceased in case she had any sins that needed to be absolved at the time of death. Is this true of any Eastern Catholic funeral or other rites?