Sin, Temporal Punishment, and Indulgences

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Randy_Carson

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Some time back, I put the following thoughts together…let me know if you think this is correct.

Johnny hits a baseball through the neighbor’s window. It’s a big, expensive, bay window costing hundreds of dollars. He apologizes, and the neighbor forgives him. (This is forgiveness of sin through the blood of Jesus.)

Although he is forgiven and his relationship with the neighbor is restored, he still has to pay for the window, and he may need to mow lawns for several weeks to earn the money. (This is temporal punishment which we must accept during this life and in purgatory.)

However, the other kids in the neighborhood who were also playing in the ball game agree to take up a collection and mow lawns to help pay for the window even though they did not actually hit the ball that broke it. (This is the Church’s treasury of merit that can be applied to each of us.)

Thus, Johnny’s debt is paid off more quickly because of the sacrifice of others.

Thanks in advance. :tiphat:
 
***Yep, that’s good. I analyzed it quickly. My mind’s set…ummm…probably at the same as yours (for I’m no theologian or apologist).

Try adding something about penance!👍 ***
 
It seems like a tight argument at first glance…the community creating “satisfaction” (or penance as was mentioned) for the original damage (sin). cf. CCC1459-1460
 
I’m sorry, but the scenario is NOT “right on target.” I would make one minor but necessary condition/correction - that all the jobs being done by the person who broke the window, and by anyone else who wants to help in the payment, must be jobs done FOR the person whose window was broken in the first place. Basically, we are paying for the window by working for him directly, and not by bringing in payment from any other source.

Why do I make this necessary condition? Because the Treasury of Merits are really CHRIST’S in the first place. There is nothing we can do apart from Him that would be acceptable to God as the satisfaction for sin. If the man whose window is broken and forgives us is analogically God, then the only payment that would be acceptable to Him would be the money He gives to us in the first place.

Blessings,
Marduk
 
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