The 500th Anniversary of the Reformation is being celebrated this year, 2017. Why? Because historians acknowledge and date the beginning of the Reformation to October 31, 1517, the day Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany.
12. Formerly, canonical penalties were imposed not after, but before absolution, as tests of true contrition.
This one is again a challenge to the concept of purgatory, where people had to "work off" sins before entering Heaven. An interesting concept to be sure, it was at the heart of the Luther's challenge to indulgences, because without purgatory, there was no need for indulgences.
Lord Jesus, keep us confident that our sin is washed away through our baptism, our repentance, our faith, and your amazing mercy and grace. Amen.
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