First is the one by which we are baptized “for the
remission of sins.” A second remission is in the suffering of martyrdom. Third,
is that which is given through alms. For the Savior says, “but nevertheless,
give what you have and, behold, all things are clean for you.” A fourth
remission of sins is given for us through the fact that we also forgive the
sins of our brothers. For thus the Lord and Savior himself says, “If you will
forgive from the heart your brothers’ sins, your Father will also forgive you your
sins. But if you will not forgive your brothers from the heart, neither will
your Father forgive you.” And thus he taught us to say in prayer, “forgive us
our debts as we forgive our debtors.” A fifth forgiveness of sins is when
“someone will convert a sinner from the error of his way.” For thus divine
Scripture says, “Whoever will make a sinner turn from the error of his way will
save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” There is also a sixth
forgiveness through the abundance of love as the Lord himself says, “Truly I
say to you, her many sins are forgiven because she loved much.” And the Apostle
says, “Because love will cover a multitude of sins.” And there is still a
seventh remission of sins through penance, although admittedly it is difficult
and toilsome, when the sinner washes “his couch in tears” and his “tears”
become his “bread day and night,” when he is not ashamed to make known his sin
to the priest of the Lord and to seek a cure according to the one who says, “I
said, ‘I will proclaim to the Lord my injustice against myself,’ and you
forgave the impiety of my heart.” What the Apostle James said is fulfilled in
this: “But if anyone is sick, let that person call the presbyters of the
Church, and they will place their hands on him, anointing him with oil in the
name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and if he
is in sins, they will be forgiven him.” (Origen, Homilies on
Leviticus 2.4.5., in Origen, Homilies on Leviticus 1–16 [trans. Gary
Wayne Barkley; The Fathers of the Church 83; Washington, D.C.: The Catholic
University of America Press, 1990], 47–48)
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