9. The Church also in our days then invites all its (daughters and) sons to ponder and meditate well on how the use of indulgences benefits their lives and indeed all Christian society.
Do indulgences really help people? It’s not something with a readily apparent effect, but a matter of faith. And trust in a long tradition of belief and practice.
To recall briefly the most important considerations, this salutary practice teaches us in the first place how it is “sad and bitter to have abandoned … the Lord God.”(Jeremiah 2:19) Indeed the faithful when they acquire indulgences understand that by their own powers they could not remedy the harm they have done to themselves and to the entire community by their sin, and they are therefore stirred to a salutary humility.
It reminds me of the parable comparing gossip and detraction to tearing apart a pillow on a village roof, and the full reparation would involve the recapture of each and every feather that stuffed it.
Furthermore, the use of indulgences shows us how closely we are united to each other in Christ, and how the supernatural life of each can benefit others so that these also may be more easily and more closely united with the Father. Therefore, the use of indulgences effectively influences charity in us and demonstrates that charity in an outstanding manner when we offer indulgences as assistance to our (sisters and) brothers who rest in Christ.
I suppose a positive influence on charitable acts, even those disconnected from indulgences is a good thing. And clearly, the dead have no tangible physical benefit to offer the living.
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Catholic Sensibility 