Sin and Forgiveness

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Sin and Forgiveness

• pp. 283-290

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What is sin?

• Sin is an intentional act, through word or deed
• Committed freely and with deliberate action.
• Not considered a mistake or an error.

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• Sins are actions or omissions
• Action that I do or do not do on purpose.
• They violate Gods law of love.
• We must admit responsibility and bear the
  consequences.
• Guilt is the internal burden of sin.

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• Sins can be venial or mortal
• Sins can be destructive to our relationship with
  God, others and ourselves leading to permanent
  death (mortal). They can be less serious however
  they still turn us away from God (venial).
• See pg. 285 for the Catechisms definition

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• Sin destroys the relational
• It is a breach of the covenant with God or
  falling short of that covenant (according to the
  bible).
• This happens when we live for created goods like
  money and power rather than God (like creating
  false gods).
• We deliberately choose to distance ourselves from
  God and our neighbour.

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• Sin is an enduring state of hard-heartedness or
  moral blindness
• Habitual sin can reshape the core or our being
  (destroy humanity in our hearts, esteem the
  dehumanizing fantasies of our mind and close down
  our hope of becoming a truly loving person).
• It corrodes our capacity to love others.
• It causes an alienation with God, others, nature
  and ourselves (contrary to the communion of love).

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The impact of sin on institutions and society

• What impact does sin have as it spreads
  throughout the institutions of society?
• Social or structural evil manifests in many ways
  and under many names Apartheid, Holocaust,
  ethnic cleansing, genocide, anti-Semitism,
  fascism, terrorism etc.

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Seeking to understand social evil

• According to Vern Redekop and Rene Girard, social
  evils arise when basic needs are not met due to
  particular historical or social conditions.
• Threats to identity
• Rivalries
• Need for scapegoats

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Mortal Sin

• Sin must be of a grave nature
• The sinner must have full knowledge (that it is a
  sin)
• The sinner must fully consent (to violating his
  or her conscience)
• If you die in a state of mortal sin, you go to
  hell. The Sacrament of Reconciliation removes the
  stain of mortal sin.
• When in a state of mortal sin, we MUST receive
  the Sacrament of Reconciliation to restore
  ourselves in Gods eyes.

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Venial Sin

• Less serious sins where we dont live up to moral
  law, or when we commit a mortal sin without
  knowledge and consent.
• Venial sins dont deprive us from salvation, but
  they do turn us away from God and can lead to
  mortal sin. It is recommended to seek out the
  Sacrament of Reconciliation from time to time to
  remove these sins as well.

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Recall Path to God example

• Imagine your spiritual path to God is a straight
  line from where you are standing to face the
  crucifix.
• When you are in a state of grace, you are
  perfectly lined up to reach the crucifix venial
  sins turn you away from the crucifix you can
  still reach the crucifix though.
• Mortal sin is like you having been locked outside
  the classroom you cannot reach the crucifix.
• Reconciliation lets you back in the room and put
  you back in line with the crucifix (Restores us
  from venial mortal sins).

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Sin (Blasphemy) Against the Spirit

• The only sin that is not forgiven.
• If we deliberately refuse to accept Gods mercy
  through repenting if you reject the forgiveness
  of sins and the salvation offered by the Holy
  Spirit, it can lead to final impenitence and
  eternal loss.