Good afternoon, Father Angelo,

I’m writing to you because I’ve always asked myself this question, but I’ve never received a clear answer from any priest. Every time I think I’ve done something wrong, I automatically expect a punishment from God—if not 100%, then very close.

I reflect on some sins and offences I have committed against God, and at times, shortly afterwards, something unpleasant or deeply painful has happened. Now, statistically speaking, I must have offended the Lord many other times without realising it, and both good and bad things have happened to me. But I can’t shake the feeling that—even when I ask for forgiveness—there’s always this shadow that haunts me because of my mistakes.

A very dear priest friend once told me that the punishment is already the feeling of guilt and having done wrong. Nonetheless, I always expect a specific event that will make me suffer and that is somehow connected to the mistake I made (even if it’s not directly related to the theme of the sin).

Is this the wrong way to live out Christianity, or could it somehow help me to sin less? I don’t know if I would have sinned more otherwise, but every mistake brings me immense anguish, and I feel like no prayer truly purifies me.

Thank you, and I remember you in my prayers.

 Response from Father Angelo

Dearest,

1. Sacred Scripture says, “He who sins harms himself” (Sirach 14:6).

So we shouldn’t expect God to come and punish us.

God always remains open to us with infinite and eternal love.

2. Through sin, we withdraw ourselves from His love and hand ourselves over to our adversary. Scripture calls him our tormentor.

So: he who sins harms himself because he opens the door to the one who comes “to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).

3. Punishment is not just the feeling of guilt or having done wrong, as that priest told you. Of course, that’s part of it—but it would be very little, because a simple act of will could remove that feeling.

Additionally, the devil can cause real damage.

4. It is like when someone carelessly forgets to close the door to their home. The punishment isn’t just the regret of having left it open—it’s the fact that thieves were able to enter and steal the fruits of our sacrifices and many cherished belongings.

5. So what can be done to bind our adversary and prevent him from harming us after he’s caught us off guard?

It is essential to immediately recover the state of grace, which acts like a garment or hedge that blocks the devil’s attacks.

The state of grace can be recovered instantly, if one truly desires it, by repenting for the sin committed—for having offended the Lord and preferred our tormentor instead (Isaiah 9:3).

6. True repentance also includes the intention to align one’s will with God’s, and therefore the intention to go to confession as soon as possible and to commit not to offend the Lord again. Without this, it wouldn’t be true repentance.

7. As we can see, after sin, it is God who takes the initiative and immediately comes to our aid.

By inspiring repentance and the resolution to change, He instantly restores the lost garment, which acts as a hedge against the adversary’s attacks.

So after every sin, make sure to immediately close the door to your adversary and open it to the saving and beneficial action of grace.

With the hope that you always keep the door closed to your tormentor, I bless you and remember you in prayer.

Father Angelo

Questo articolo è disponibile anche in: Italian Portuguese