Human nature makes us believe that in order for our sins to be forgiven, we have to do something to earn God's forgiveness. 

The Rev. John Bauer, pastor of the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, recalled an instance after he said the prayer of absolution during the Sacrament of Reconciliation. 

He distinctly remembered the person saying, "It shouldn't be that easy," after Bauer told them their sins had been forgiven. In his reflection in the Sept. 13 parish bulletin, Bauer noted that in order for us to understand, we need to consider forgiveness from God's perspective.

"The forgiveness of our sins is dependent on nothing more, but also nothing less, than our sorrow for our sins," Bauer said in the bulletin. "If we are truly sorry for our sins, if it is our will and desire that we try to sin no more, then that is all God asks of us."

God understands that as humans, although we will try not to, we will continue to sin and fail, Bauer said. When people seek forgiveness openly, honestly, and confess during the Sacrament of Reconciliation, God "really and truly" forgives.