Lord, Have Mercy

An illuminating, reassuring explanation of the Catholic Church’s teachings on confession and forgiveness by the bestselling author of The Lamb’s Supper and Hail, Holy Queen.

Jesus told his first clergy, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” In Lord, Have Mercy, Scott Hahn explores the sacrament of reconciliation and shows why it is the key to spiritual growth, particularly in these times of intense anxiety and uncertainty.

Drawing on the history of ancient Israel, the Gospels, the writings of the early Church, and the lives of the saints, Hahn reveals the living, scriptural heart of the Church’s teachings on penance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. It is a story that begins with the sin of Adam and Eve, continues in the biographies of Moses, King David, and the Apostle Peter, and reverberates in the lives of believers today. Hahn presents the Catholic and biblical perspective on sin and mercy, elucidating in clear, easily understood language the true import of Jesus’ simple, yet profound promise–“I am the door; if anyone enters by Me, he will be saved (John 10:9).

Like Hahn’s earlier books, Lord, Have Mercy offers thoughtful, authoritative insights into controversial issues and disputed doctrines in a manner that will enlighten lay readers yet is thorough enough for scholars to appreciate. More than just a Bible study, it is a guide for the perplexed, providing practical advice and inspiration that will help readers come to a deeper knowledge of themselves and of Jesus through the sacrament of penance.

“"Scott Hahn's Lord, Have Mercy is a thoughtful exposition of the sacrament of confession. With a lively blend of personal insights and theological acumen, this gifted author gets to the heart of the matter of confession: how it is anticipated in the Old Testament, how it is presented in the New Testament, and how necessary it is for the spiritual life today. I recommend this book to all who desire a clear and elegant presentation of the Church's understanding of confession." -Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York "Scott Hahn has done it again! With a style that is engaging and a content that is challenging, he lays out the scriptural foundation for repentance and confession, the history of the development of the sacrament, a lucid theology, and a practical guide for those who find confession difficult: 'The more we need it," he so rightly says, 'the less we seem to want it.' This book will be an eye-opener for those who think all they need is to tell God they're sorry. For all it is a convincing testimony why, like bathing, we need confession often." -Reverend George T. Montague, S.M. From the Hardcover edition.”

“Scott Hahn’s Lord, Have Mercy is a thoughtful exposition of the sacrament of confession. With a lively blend of personal insights and theological acumen, this gifted author gets to the heart of the matter of confession: how it is anticipated in the Old Testament, how it is presented in the New Testament, and how necessary it is for the spiritual life today. I recommend this book to all who desire a clear and elegant presentation of the Church’s understanding of confession.”
-Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York

“Scott Hahn has done it again! With a style that is engaging and a content that is challenging, he lays out the scriptural foundation for repentance and confession, the history of the development of the sacrament, a lucid theology, and a practical guide for those who find confession difficult: ‘The more we need it,” he so rightly says, ‘the less we seem to want it.’ This book will be an eye-opener for those who think all they need is to tell God they’re sorry. For all it is a convincing testimony why, like bathing, we need confession often.”
-Reverend George T. Montague, S.M.

SCOTT HAHN, an internationally renowned Catholic lecturer and theologian, is a professor of biblical theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is the director of the Institute of Applied Biblical Studies and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. His books include A Father Who Keeps His Promises, Rome Sweet Home (coauthored with his wife, Kimberly), The Lamb’s Supper, Hail, Holy Queen, and First Comes Love. He lives in Steubenville, Ohio.

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