VATICAN - Pope: "God always forgives," but asks me to forgive, otherwise "I close the door to God's forgiveness" [AN]

[Catholic_Press]

Everything depends on how we first present ourselves to God to ask for forgiveness. Asking forgiveness is different to apologizing for a mistake. “Sin is not a simple mistake. Sin is idolatry.” The dynamics of forgiveness is the one taught by Jesus himself in the “Our Father”. "Jesus teaches us to pray, Father: ‘Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors’.

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[Stylteralmaldo]

“Sin is not a simple mistake. Sin is idolatry.”

This.

I think sometimes people confuse ‘venial sin’ as those instances where we make a mistake. But the reality is that mistakes are not sins.

Then there are those who confuse actual sin (intentional bad actions) as being a mortal sin when it may not be at all.

Sin is sin - an intentional transgression against God. The question is how much of a transgression is it. Is it a major transgression (serious) or minor (venial).

A mistake - no matter how terrible - is not a sin. It’s all about intent.

 

[7_Sorrows]

The “Our Father” is such a beautiful prayer and Pope Francis is correct.

 

[RGCheek]

The Pope said, “Forgiveness must be asked sincerely, whole-heartedly - and forgiveness must be given whole-heartedly to those, who have injured us.”

And if they ask me convincingly and no longer present a threat to me, I forgive them for offenses against me (if they ask). God does not command us to be fools and pre-emptively forgive our enemies.

IF I am wrong please show me the scripture that makes this true.

 

[ProVobis]

The “Our Father” is such a beautiful prayer and Pope Francis is correct.

When it’s prayed in cadences at Mass, though, how many really mean it? Or even think about what they’re saying?

 

[7_Sorrows]

When it’s prayed in cadences at Mass, though, how many really mean it? Or even think about what they’re saying?

I think about what I am saying when I recite this prayer. Mainly because this is how Jesus taught us to pray.

 

[ProVobis]

I think about what I am saying when I recite this prayer. Mainly because this is how Jesus taught us to pray.

I know you do, but I worked for a boss who was telling us that praying “in cadences” (in group prayer, for example), you were more focused on keeping up with the group than thinking about what you’re praying. So in his eyes it wasn’t really prayer, as prayer really should come from the heart. I think he had a point.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I know you do, but I worked for a boss who was telling us that praying “in cadences” (in group prayer, for example), you were more focused on keeping up with the group than thinking about what you’re praying. So in his eyes it wasn’t really prayer, as prayer really should come from the heart. I think he had a point.

Yes I also believe that to be a good point and possibly a protestant criticism of the Catholic church, because many, learn to pray from the heart, as you say, and pray freely.
However, when I do my personal prayers at home or in the Adoration chapel or wherever I am praying, those come from the heart and in church I try to be aware of the responses I am saying even though I am in a group. My mind tends to get distracted when the priest is reciting the long prayers.

 

[DaveBj]

Everything depends on how we first present ourselves to God to ask for forgiveness. Asking forgiveness is different to apologizing for a mistake. “Sin is not a simple mistake. Sin is idolatry.” The dynamics of forgiveness is the one taught by Jesus himself in the “Our Father”. "Jesus teaches us to pray, Father: ‘Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors’.

More…

. . . which brings up the questions of whether God forgives sins that we have not confessed and asked to have forgiven, and whether He expects us to forgive other people who have genuinely offended us, but have not admitted their wrongs and asked for forgiveness.