Question- confession effecting the afterlife

[beverly30]

I’m wondering how much of our sin is totally forgiven… Mainly when the sin involves other people. I’m a little confused about some things. I believe God forgives our intent to sin, but then if our sin involved another, and we brought sin into their life or suffering that wouldn’t have taken place if we hadn’t sinned…how can we truly make ammends for that and not have to suffer in the afterlife… or maybe we can’t. Shouldn’t we somehow be held accountable for any sins they then commited because of us? How can us going to confession be enough to make up for the wrongs that we occured in their life? Does that make any sense?

 

[Grtonia]

It makes sense to me. In my opinion and my opinion only, we can not cause another person to sin. It has to be their free choice to sin. I guess an example might be, as a married male, were I to flirt with say a female co-worker and that act caused her to lust in her mind, then I would have led that person to sin. If she then decides to lust in her heart, that act would be a conscious act on her part. I would be guilty of leading her to sin, and would require absolution and pennace for forgiveness, but her sin is her sin and she would require the same absolution and pennance. She did not have to enter into a state of sin simply because of my actions.

Does that help?
God Bless you!

 

[beverly30]

Thanks Grtonia.

That does help a little. I guess I was thinking about this book I read… The Five People You Meet in Heaven. I don’t know if anyone else has read it, but I loved it. It’s fiction, but the idea behind it seems to make sense to me. It got me thinking . After this man died he went through a series of events where he had to meet five people who’s lives he effected. I kind of thought of purgatory when I was reading this. He had to relive how he effected there lives. How each choice he made, although at the time he didn’t see the consequence, he now saw the damage or good it did. It was very painful for him. I know this book isn’t any sort of guideline for the Catholic faith, but what if that were true? I’m a little scared about some of the things I’ve done, and the damage they may have caused. Even if I confessed those sins, and was forgiven- that doesn’t take the suffering away from the people I wronged. I know better now, but feel like I’ve done so much damage that I’d be reliving those things forever. I can understand that they’re responsible for their own sins, but what kind of punishment do I get for in a way being satans helper?(not that I knowingly was trying to be) Is that seriously all taken away by me confessing my sin?

 

[Grtonia]

I know that they have been taken away! My God has said so! Remember Beverly, you must also forgive yourself. God in His great mercy has given us the Sacrament of Reconciliation so that we can bring our sins to Him. He lovingly removes them from us. The pennance that we receive and perform removes the affects of our sins.

If you feel that you must do more, and believe me I understand where you are coming from being a great sinner myself, pray the Rosary for these individuals whom you have wronged. Ask the Lord to apply the your Rosaries for the benefit of those individuals. Each time that you do this, you will be doing something of tremendous value for these individuals. Who knows, they be waiting for you in Heaven to thank you for your prayers! Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

I pray for your confidence in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and will say a Rosary today for the benefit of those who were affected by your sins as well as mine!

Thank you for this opportunity to help you and those whom we have wronged by our own actions. God Bless you, Beverly!

Grtonia

 

[beverly30]

Grtonia:

. Who knows, they be waiting for you in Heaven to thank you for your prayers! Wouldn’t that be wonderful?Grtonia

That would be a wonderful gift! Thanks for your wise words.

 

[Shinobu]

beverly30:

Thanks Grtonia.

That does help a little. I guess I was thinking about this book I read… The Five People You Meet in Heaven. I don’t know if anyone else has read it, but I loved it. It’s fiction, but the idea behind it seems to make sense to me.

Oh!! I read that book and it was wonderful!