Comments on: What Have You Got to “Loose”? http://blog.mycatholicfaithdelivered.com/2010/08/12/what-have-you-got-to-loose/ Time for the Timeless Wed, 05 Jan 2011 08:51:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: leon http://blog.mycatholicfaithdelivered.com/2010/08/12/what-have-you-got-to-loose/#comment-1045 leon Thu, 12 Aug 2010 22:08:45 +0000 /post/What-Have-You-Got-to-Loose.aspx#comment-1045 Great insights, Pete. And while I haven''t done a word study on it myself, forgiveness of sins (or even of debt, say in a jubilee year) had a sense of "release," which certainly would encompass exorcism. Great insights, Pete. And while I haven”t done a word study on it myself, forgiveness of sins (or even of debt, say in a jubilee year) had a sense of "release," which certainly would encompass exorcism.

]]> By: petebrown http://blog.mycatholicfaithdelivered.com/2010/08/12/what-have-you-got-to-loose/#comment-1044 petebrown Thu, 12 Aug 2010 21:19:36 +0000 /post/What-Have-You-Got-to-Loose.aspx#comment-1044 I think I could add one meaning of "bind" which relates to the power of exorcism, as in binding the strong man before plundering his house (Matt 12:29). In this case it connotes a great power over evil in the sense of power of Peter and the Church (Matt 18:15) to plunder the devil''s kingdom--I think this is where forgiveness of sins comes in---much more in other words than hearing confessions (though it surely gets at that too on some level). It''s more exciting for me to think of it as a clash between kingdoms. And you''re right that it does mean power to excommunicate as well--in ways that have eschatological consequences, which comes in handy since the Church in Matthew is more clearly presented as a mixed body of saints and sinners than in any other gospel. See for instance the eschatological "binding" of the weeds in Matt 13:30 and the poorly dressed wedding guest in 22:13. And you''re also right that it can mean power to regulate in manner that binds consciences. For instance, the Scribes and Pharisees "bind heavy burdens hard to bear and lay them on men''s shoulder''s (matt 23:4)." The other uses of "bind" have to do with binding Jesus and John at their arrests and untying a bound colt--presumably these aren''t as relevant. I''ll look us "loose" when I have more time. Enjoy I think I could add one meaning of "bind" which relates to the power of exorcism, as in binding the strong man before plundering his house (Matt 12:29). In this case it connotes a great power over evil in the sense of power of Peter and the Church (Matt 18:15) to plunder the devil”s kingdom–I think this is where forgiveness of sins comes in—much more in other words than hearing confessions (though it surely gets at that too on some level). It”s more exciting for me to think of it as a clash between kingdoms.

And you”re right that it does mean power to excommunicate as well–in ways that have eschatological consequences, which comes in handy since the Church in Matthew is more clearly presented as a mixed body of saints and sinners than in any other gospel. See for instance the eschatological "binding" of the weeds in Matt 13:30 and the poorly dressed wedding guest in 22:13.

And you”re also right that it can mean power to regulate in manner that binds consciences. For instance, the Scribes and Pharisees "bind heavy burdens hard to bear and lay them on men”s shoulder”s (matt 23:4)."

The other uses of "bind" have to do with binding Jesus and John at their arrests and untying a bound colt–presumably these aren”t as relevant. I”ll look us "loose" when I have more time.

Enjoy

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