Mrs. Sprengel posted on April 01, 2011 16:33
Memory for the Week of 4/4-4/8
This week we will be working on the Office of the Keys. All memory will be fill-in-the-blank.
Tuesday, 4/5 (Office of the Keys)
What is the Office of the Keys? The Office of the Keys is that special authority which Christ has given to His church on earth to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, but to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant as long as they do not repent.
Wednesday, 4/6 (Office of the Keys continued…)
Where is this written? This is what St. John the Evangelist writes in chapter twenty: The Lord Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Thursday, 4/7 (Office of the Keys continued…)
What do you believe according to these words? I believe that when the called ministers of Christ deal with us by His divine command, in particular when they exclude openly unrepentant sinners from the Christian congregation…
Friday, 4/8 (Office of the Keys continued…)
…and absolve those who repent of their sins and want to do better, this is just as valid and certain, even in heaven, as if Christ our dear Lord dealt with us Himself.