Gifts of Heaven · Volume 2 · Chapter 282

Priestly forgiveness of sins

28th March 1843, morning

[1] You would like to give something to the eldest daughter Marie of A.H.-W. for her physical name and birthday? Yes, I would like to give her something as well, if she only wants something seriously. But she doesn't have the greatest confidence in us, she still clings most strongly to the "Wall of Rome". Therefore it is also somewhat difficult to give her something proper, that is, that she might find a living pleasure in it.

[2] But so that she may see how things are with the "wall of Rome," I will draw her attention to the most powerful foundation on which Rome is based. It is the 18th verse of the 18th chapter of Matthew and the 23rd verse of the 20th chapter from John, which is identical and significant.

[3] But that this base is a completely erroneous one is clearly stated in the whole 18th chapter of Matthew and especially from the 14th to the 35th verse, and even more clearly in the Lord's Prayer. For there it is said: "Forgive us our trespasses, even as we forgive those who trespass against us" – and it does not say: 'Forgive us our trespasses as the priests forgive it to us.'

[4] Thus also the Roman foundation – the 18th verse in the 18th chapter of Matthew – by no means states the power of a priest to forgive sins, but the mutual human and brotherly duty of love, that one should forgive the other all sins.

[5] If people forgive each other everything, then also I will forgive them everything. But if they withhold their debts from one another among themselves, then I will also withhold theirs from them!

[6] That is the true meaning of this long time exceedingly misunderstood and just as strongly abused passage, and there is no other valid one for Me! Whoever will live according to this meaning will come to Me; but whoever does not, will remain outside – even if he were provided with a thousand priestly remissions of sins.

[7] M.H. should also consider such things, so she will soon realize that I can forgive sins even without scapulars and brevets. Amen.