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When Mercy Is a Danger

Forgotten Truths

When Mercy Is a Danger

In a country with a mentality saturated with Liberalism and Protestantismlike ours, it is quite common to hear Catholics say that God always forgives

the sinner, no matter what he does and how much he sins. Here are someconsiderations of St. Alfonsus de Liguori that are meant to give some foodfor thought for our American Liberal Catholics or for ourselves insofar aswe share that mentality.

St. Alfonsus de Liguori

St. Augustine says that the Devil seduces men in two ways: through despairand hope. After the sinner commits his fault, he drags him into despairthrough fear of divine justice; but, before sinning, he encourages him to fall

into temptation through hope of divine mercy. For this reason the Saint warnsus, saying: After sinning, do not lose hope in divine mercy; before sinning,fear divine justice.

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This is because the one who takes advantage of divine mercy to offend God doesnot deserve it. Mercy exists for those who fear God, and not for those who sin

without fearing Him. One who offends justice can have recourse to mercy,says the Abulensis, but to whom should the one who offends mercy haverecourse?

It is difficult to find a sinner in such a state of despair that he actuallywants to be condemned. Sinners want to sin, but without losing hope ofsalvation. They sin and say: God is goodness itself. Even if I sin now, laterI will confess.Thus think sinners, and, as St. Augustine says, thus thoughtmany who are now condemned.

Be careful,says St. John Chrysostom, when the Devil (and not God) promisesyou divine mercy with the purpose of making you sin.And St. Augustine adds,Woe to he who trusts in mercy with the aim of sinning! How many this illusionhad fooled and led into perdition! Woe to he who abuses the goodness of God to

offend Him more!

Even though God waits patiently for the sinner, He does not wait forever. Forif the Lord would always tolerate us, no one would be condemned, but wide is

the gate and broad is the way that leads to perdition, and there are many whochoose it (Matt 7:13).

The trap the Devil sets to seduce almost all Catholics who condemn themselvesis this: Sin freely, because, despite all your sins, you will be saved.TheLord, however, curses the one who sins hoping forgiveness.

Preparation to Death: Considerations on the Eternal Truths,Consideration 17, Point 1

Posted July 24, 2010

Related Topics of Interest

One Sins by Not Becoming Duly Irate

Decadent Flocks Are the Result of Corrupt Pastors

Too Much Compassion Can Be an Excessive Cruelty

The Absence of Rage

It Can Be Wrong to Turn the Other Cheek

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It is Advisable to Frighten Sinners

When Silence and Complacence Are Sins

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