12th Sunday After Pentecost: On the Abuse of Divine Mercy ~ St. Alphonsus

About this sermon

Can a Christian abuse the mercy of God? St. Alphonsus Liguori gives a terrifying warning to those who deliberately continue in sin while presuming that God will always forgive them later. In this powerful sermon for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, St. Alphonsus warns against one of the most dangerous spiritual deceptions: using confidence in Divine Mercy as an excuse to postpone repentance. Drawing upon Sacred Scripture and the teachings of saints including St. Augustine, St. John Chrysostom, St. Bernard, and St. Basil, Alphonsus explains the difference between Christian hope and presumption. His unforgettable principle is: After sin, hope for mercy. Before sin, fear justice. The sinner who sincerely repents should never despair of God's forgiveness. But the person who deliberately chooses sin while telling himself, “God is merciful; I can confess later,” dangerously turns the mercy of God into an excuse for offending Him. St. Alphonsus reminds us that God's patience has a purpose. The Lord waits for sinners so that they may repent, abandon sin, and return to Him—not so that they may continue offending Him without fear. This sermon addresses: The difference between hope and presumption Why Satan tempts sinners to say, “I will confess later” God's mercy and justice The danger of habitual and unrepented mortal sin How repeated sin can harden the heart The danger of resisting God's calls to conversion The purpose of God's patience toward sinners The necessity of sincere repentance The importance of Confession How to overcome temptation through God's grace Near the conclusion, St. Alphonsus makes his appeal intensely practical: “Go to confession as soon as possible and make a firm resolution to change your lives.” He then reminds Christians that God does not abandon those who sincerely seek His help. In temptation, we must call upon the Lord, trusting that through divine assistance we can resist and remain faithful. This is not a sermon intended to lead the repentant sinner into despair. Rather, it is a warning against presumption and an urgent invitation to make use of God's mercy while He is calling us to repentance. St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, pray for us. 00:26 The Good Samaritan & the Wounded Soul 01:25 The Danger of Abusing Divine Mercy 01:35 The Devil Tempts Through Despair & False Hope 02:00 “After Sin, Hope for Mercy — Before Sin, Fear Justice” 02:49 Beware the False Promise of Mercy 03:12 Why Does God Wait for Sinners? 04:13 “God Is Merciful — I Will Confess Afterwards” 04:58 God Is Merciful, But He Is Also Just 05:46 Will God Always Continue Showing Mercy? 06:45 Remember How Patient God Has Been With You 07:28 The Deceitful Hope That Leads Souls to Ruin 08:31 The Danger of Vain Hope 08:56 Judas, Presumption & “I Will Repent Afterwards” 09:40 Do Not Despise God’s Patience 10:43 When the Obstinate Sinner Is Abandoned 11:56 The Soul That Falls Deeper Into Sin 13:13 When Sin Becomes the Punishment of Sin 14:06 The Warning of Caesar the Comedian 15:04 St. Alphonsus Makes the Application to Us 15:42 “The Punishment Has Been Deferred, Not Remitted” 16:33 Resist God’s Call No Longer 16:38 Go to Confession & Change Your Life 16:56 God Gives Strength Against Temptation 17:22 “Ask and You Shall Receive” 17:40 Call Upon God in Every Temptation https://sensusfidelium.com/meditations/st-alphonsus/st-alphonsus-sermons-for-every-sunday-of-the-year/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #StAlphonsusLiguori #DivineMercy #Catholic #CatholicFaith #Catholicism #CatholicChurch #CatholicSaints #CatholicSermon #CatholicTeaching #TraditionalCatholic #CatholicTradition #Repentance #Confession

Topics

• Love & Compassion
• Holy Spirit
• Pentecost