(273-276) Works of Love V
Love hides the multiplicity of sins by forgiveness
We can hide the multiplicity of sin in many ways
Forgiveness is the most significant
For in forgiveness, sin goes away
Sin's not removed by the ignorant
Forgiveness, strangely, is quite rare
That can mean faith is quite small
We can't forgive if we do not dare
So forgiveness' miracle can't come at all
Faith relates to what is not seen
But what makes the seen to exist
When we believe in the unseen
Then our faith and forgiveness persist
Forgiveness of sin is an act of faith
For it makes the sin unseen
We cannot see its removal safe
Here it's faith that will be seen
We put sin's guilt behind our back
To forgive makes the seen unseen
With ease we make guilt another's fact
Rather than make the sinner clean
A sin unforgiven requires punishment
And that lack increase and nourish sin
Forgiveness is thus a requirement
To keep that sin from being within
To withhold forgiveness is a sin of kind
For on it a new sin grows
Forgiveness and faith in heart and mind
Is the power that truth can impose