hating the sin, loving the sinner
“If I tell the wicked man that he shall surely die, and you do not speak out to dissuade the wicked man from his way, he [the wicked man] shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death.” —Ezekiel 33:8
“You can depend on this as worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tm 1:15). Therefore, as followers of Jesus, we must be very concerned about sin. First, we must remove the plank of sin from our eyes so that we will see clearly to remove the specks of sin from the eyes of our brothers and sisters (Mt 7:5). Then we should correct and warn the person who is sinning (Ez 33:8), “but keep it between the two of” us (Mt 18:15). If privately correcting a person who sins against us is not well received (Mt 18:16), we should bring other Christians into this “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5:18). Moreover, “anyone who sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, should petition God, and thus life will be given to the sinner” (1 Jn 5:16). “Remember this: the person who brings a sinner back from his way will save his soul from death and cancel a multitude of sins” (Jas 5:20). Finally, we must rejoice with the Lord, the saints, and the angels “over one repentant sinner” (Lk 15:7, 10).
Prayer: Father, use me to lead many to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Promise: “Owe no debt to anyone except the debt that binds us to love one another. He who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” —Rm 13:8
Praise: Praise Jesus, risen, glorified, and seated at the right hand of the Father!
Reference: (For a related teaching on The Secret of Confession, view, download or order our leaflet or listen to, download or order our CD 44-3 or DVD 44 on our website.)
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period August 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 4, 2023
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.