What evidence of the reality of sin is seen in the world?

Standing up against violence and injustice is a command of the Gospel.

People do not always do the good the moral law names; rather, sometimes they do the evil the moral law prohibits.

Forming good habits and other practices help to guard against the inclination toward evil and sin.

How do you deal with the struggle between choosing good over evil?

What evidence of the reality of sin is seen in the world?

The Book of Genesis reveals that human beings can misuse their God-given gift of freedom.

Tempted by the serpent, Adam and Eve opted out of God’s plan of holiness and justice for all creation.

Sin is an utterance, deed, or desire contrary to the eternal law.

As a consequence of ‘Original Sin’, every human experiences a spiritual battle between good and evil.

The divine plan of goodness versus sin

Jesus’ response to sin teaches us that while we are to ‘hate’ and reject the sin, we are to welcome and love the sinner.

In his sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:1-5), Jesus warns about being judgmental. Jesus asks: ‘Why do you notice the speck in your neighbor’s eye when you do not see the log in your own eye?’

In the account of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:2-11), Jesus challenges the onlookers, saying that those who have not sinned should throw the first stone.

The divine plan of goodness versus sin

Moral actions must always be motivated by truth.

Moral Relativism teaches that moral rules and standards are irrelevant, that the morality of an act is only ‘relevant’ to what a person thinks, the circumstances of a person’s life, the time and culture in which a person lives.

The divine plan of goodness versus sin

The language we use can often deny our responsibility for the evil and harmful consequences of our actions. For example:

•An abortion can be described as ‘the termination of pregnancy’ or as the ‘freedom of choice’.

•Killing civilians during a war is sometimes termed ‘collateral damage’.

As Christians we must not remain silent when we come into contact with the evil consequences of sin.

It is a sign of love when we show care and concern for another, particularly when they are acting contrary to the moral law of God.

Do you reject Satan, and all his empty works, and all his empty promises?

The Old Testament reveals the loving and faithful covenantal commitment God has with his people.

The Hebrew word chesed describes this relationship in terms of •steadfast loyalty and faithfulness •love and devotion •kindness and mercy•justice and righteousness. God’s chesed toward his people never diminishes. It remains even when they turn away from God.

Do you reject Satan, and all his empty works, and all his empty promises?

The Biblical accounts of salvation testify that God’s people were unfaithful to the covenant by: •Worshipping false idols•Perpetuating oppression through injustice•Turning their backs on the poor.

As Christians we must live the mutual covenant we entered into with God at our Baptism.

Do you reject Satan, and all his empty works, and all his empty promises?

In the following Scripture passage, St. Paul describes his struggle with sin, comparing it with his body being at war with his mind:

I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. —Romans 7:21-23

Jesus Christ is the savior and redeemer of the world.

By his death, resurrection and ascension he freed humanity from the power of sin and its consequences.

The many faces of sin and our response

Capital Sins lead us into more serious sins and vices. The Church names these Capital Sins (or the seven Deadly Sins) avarice (greed), anger, envy, gluttony, lust, pride and sloth.

Sins of Commission: When a person freely does or says something contrary to God’s law.

Sins of Omission: When a person freely chooses NOT to do something that she or he has the responsibility to do.

The many faces of sin and our response

Personal Sin: The sins an individual person commits.

Social Sin: The cumulative sins and sinful attitudes of a group or society.

Racism is the ‘unjust discrimination on the basis of a person’s race; a violation of human dignity, and a sin against justice’ (CCC, Glossary).

A society promotes the common good by defending the dignity and fundamental personal rights of its members, and working to reduce excessive social and economic inequalities.

The many faces of sin and our response

Mortal (grave) sin: A total turning of one’s back on God, his offer of life and love, and on the divine plan of goodness for creation. It seriously ruptures one’s life-giving relationship with God, with people and with creation.

Even with the experience of mortal sin, God awaits the free choice of the individual to return to the embrace of his love.

 

The many faces of sin and our response

God always offers grace to us to enable us to repent.

We celebrate this encounter with God in the Sacrament of Penance.

The Church requires that we confess all mortal sins to a priest in the Sacrament of Penance.

The many faces of sin and our response

Venial Sins: Are less grave that mortal sins; they do not sever our friendship with God and likewise do not deny a person sanctifying grace.

A pattern of committing venial sins can weaken a person’s ability to do what is right, true and good.

The effects of venial sins can be repaired by acts of love, compassion and justice.

Though venial sin is not as serious as mortal sin, many small sins can weaken our relationship with God.

St. Claudine Thévenet (1774–1837), a woman of faith, courage and commitment

Claudine Thévenet was born in Lyons, France, in 1774.

In 1789 the French Revolution brought devastation and chaos into Claudine’s life.

She witnessed many people, including her two brothers, being executed. Her brothers’ last words to her—‘Forgive, Glady, as we forgive’—spoken on the way to their place of execution, had a huge impact on her life.

St. Claudine Thévenet (1774–1837), a woman of faith, courage and commitment

Claudine decided to devote herself to the relief of suffering caused by the French Revolution.

Claudine dedicated her money, time and energy to providing •food and clothing, shelter and educationto the destitute and to orphaned and abandoned children.

On October 6, 1818, Claudine and her companions founded the Congregation of the Religious of Jesus and Mary.

The main aim of the Congregation was the Christian education of all social classes.