Yesterday, 06:32 AM
Mgr. Louis de Ségur: Short Answers to Common Objections Against Religion - 1908
FIFTY-FOURTH OBJECTION. MY SINS ARE TOO GREAT; IT IS IMPOSSIBLE THAT GOD CAN PARDON ME!
Answer. Impossible? Poor soul, you know not the heart of Jesus Christ!
Have you committed more sins than Magdalen? Magdalen, a woman of notoriously bad life; Magdalen, a scandalous sinner; who was repulsed by all, as if her touch were contamination! Have you forgotten her history?
The good Jesus has been invited to dine with Simon the Pharisee. All are at table, reclining at it according to the custom of the Jews. A woman enters, she throws herself at the Saviour's feet, and without speaking, bathes them with her tears and covers them with kisses. The Pharisee recognizes her, it is the sinful Magdalen: "If this man were the Son of God," he thought within himself, "He would know that this woman is a sinner!" Jesus, knowing his thoughts, says to him: "Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee." "Master," answers the Pharisee, "say it." "A certain creditor had two debtors, the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And whereas they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which, therefore, of the two loveth him the most?" "He, without doubt," answers Simon, "to whom he forgave most." "Thou hast judged rightly," said Jesus Christ. And turning to the poor Magdalen, "Dost thou see this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she, with tears, hath washed my feet, and with her hair hath wiped them. Thou gavest me no kiss; but she, since she came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but she with ointment hath anointed my feet. Wherefore, I say to thee, many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much. But to whom less is forgiven, he loveth less." And without heeding the murmurs of the Pharisee: "Woman," said He to Saint Magdalen, "go in peace and sin no more."
And after this you despair of the goodness of God? Oh! no; the heart of the Saviour is always the same. He expects you with a marvellous patience. Go and cast yourself at His feet, weeping for your sins. They are great, yes; but His goodness is yet greater! He has declared with His divine lips: "Him who cometh to me I will never reject."
Recall to Him the sufferings which He underwent for you. His manger at Bethlehem, His poverty, His agony, His Passion, His crown of thorns, His flagellation, His Cross, His death. Recall to Him His Mother, that gentle Mother whom He has given to you purposely to be your advocate, your refuge and hope.
Then, with repentance in your heart, go and seek the minister of pardon, the judge who dispenses mercy, the confessor. Entreat his indulgence and aid. He will give them to you, do not be afraid; for God desires that they should always be given to sinners. Then you will hear, amid your tears, those mighty words of eternal life, which restored Magdalen to life, and which, of Magdalen the sinner, has made the admirable Saint Mary Magdalen! "Thy sins are forgiven thee; go and sin no more."
FIFTY-FOURTH OBJECTION. MY SINS ARE TOO GREAT; IT IS IMPOSSIBLE THAT GOD CAN PARDON ME!
Answer. Impossible? Poor soul, you know not the heart of Jesus Christ!
Have you committed more sins than Magdalen? Magdalen, a woman of notoriously bad life; Magdalen, a scandalous sinner; who was repulsed by all, as if her touch were contamination! Have you forgotten her history?
The good Jesus has been invited to dine with Simon the Pharisee. All are at table, reclining at it according to the custom of the Jews. A woman enters, she throws herself at the Saviour's feet, and without speaking, bathes them with her tears and covers them with kisses. The Pharisee recognizes her, it is the sinful Magdalen: "If this man were the Son of God," he thought within himself, "He would know that this woman is a sinner!" Jesus, knowing his thoughts, says to him: "Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee." "Master," answers the Pharisee, "say it." "A certain creditor had two debtors, the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And whereas they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which, therefore, of the two loveth him the most?" "He, without doubt," answers Simon, "to whom he forgave most." "Thou hast judged rightly," said Jesus Christ. And turning to the poor Magdalen, "Dost thou see this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest me no water for my feet; but she, with tears, hath washed my feet, and with her hair hath wiped them. Thou gavest me no kiss; but she, since she came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but she with ointment hath anointed my feet. Wherefore, I say to thee, many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much. But to whom less is forgiven, he loveth less." And without heeding the murmurs of the Pharisee: "Woman," said He to Saint Magdalen, "go in peace and sin no more."
And after this you despair of the goodness of God? Oh! no; the heart of the Saviour is always the same. He expects you with a marvellous patience. Go and cast yourself at His feet, weeping for your sins. They are great, yes; but His goodness is yet greater! He has declared with His divine lips: "Him who cometh to me I will never reject."
Recall to Him the sufferings which He underwent for you. His manger at Bethlehem, His poverty, His agony, His Passion, His crown of thorns, His flagellation, His Cross, His death. Recall to Him His Mother, that gentle Mother whom He has given to you purposely to be your advocate, your refuge and hope.
Then, with repentance in your heart, go and seek the minister of pardon, the judge who dispenses mercy, the confessor. Entreat his indulgence and aid. He will give them to you, do not be afraid; for God desires that they should always be given to sinners. Then you will hear, amid your tears, those mighty words of eternal life, which restored Magdalen to life, and which, of Magdalen the sinner, has made the admirable Saint Mary Magdalen! "Thy sins are forgiven thee; go and sin no more."
"So let us be confident, let us not be unprepared, let us not be outflanked, let us be wise, vigilant, fighting against those who are trying to tear the faith out of our souls and morality out of our hearts, so that we may remain Catholics, remain united to the Blessed Virgin Mary, remain united to the Roman Catholic Church, remain faithful children of the Church."- Abp. Lefebvre