John the Baptist, preaching in the desert of Judea, said: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" Many people were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Seeing Jesus coming toward him, John said: ""Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).
Jesus lays great stress upon forgiveness. He said to Peter to forgive "seventy times seven" (Matthew 18,22). He teaches also the "Our Father" (see Menu) where one says: "and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors".
Jesus innovates by asking for the love of the enemies: "You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven [...].
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5,38-48).
Having denied Jesus, Peter was forgiven because he wept bitterly.
Jesus also said about a sinful woman: "her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little" (Luke 7,47).
Sacrament of Penance (reconciliation or confession) was established by Jesus when he said: "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (John 20,23). Bible also speaks about fast, prayer and alms (Matthew 6, 1-18). As says it Peter : "Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4,8). The Lent, which lasts forty days before the Easter, is one strong moment of conversion.
Anointing of the sick also is a sacrament of forgiveness and cure. This sacrament refers to the actions and to the words of Jesus who blesses and cures quantity of patients and disabled person.
James also said: "Is any one among you suffering ? Let him pray. Is any cheerful ?
Let him sing praise. Is any among you sick ? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord ; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up ; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven" (5, 13-15).
These sacraments are illustrated by a fine parable: After his young son spent all the heritage of his father, he came back recognizing his sins. His father ran and embraced him and kissed him. Then he said to his servants: "Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found" (Luke 15, 11-32).
