NATURE OF SIN Theological Reflection

Grace and Sin as Relational Realities Christian life is basically a love relationship expressed in the service of God and neighbor. Christian life is basically a love relationship expressed in the service of God and neighbor. To say we are in the state of grace is to say we are living in a positive relationship of love with God, whereas living in the state of sin means that we have broken our love relationship with God. To say we are in the state of grace is to say we are living in a positive relationship of love with God, whereas living in the state of sin means that we have broken our love relationship with God. Vincent Genovesi

Fundamental Option The basic commitment for or against God made by a human person – the basic orientation of his life in relation to God – either towards obedience and fidelity or to selfishness and disobedience of God could be called the fundamental option. This basic commitment gives unity to the moral and spiritual life of a man and, as St. Thomas Aquinas noted, is “not easily lost” (De Veritate, 27, 1 and 9). Towards God : (Self – Giving) A Life in Grace Away from God : (Self – Absorbing) A Life in Sin

The Psychological Dimension The human person is a complex, multi-level being with different levels of personal involvement in the making of moral decisions. Small, unimportant decisions More serious decisions Core, life- orienting decisions We engage the outer portions of the psyche when we make ordinary everyday decisions. We engage the outer portions of the psyche when we make ordinary everyday decisions. Serious decisions engage us far more profoundly and touch our deep convictions Serious decisions engage us far more profoundly and touch our deep convictions At the very core of our being the whole direction and orientation of our life is made. At the very core of our being the whole direction and orientation of our life is made.

Fundamental Option and Human Actions Human actions do not constitute a plurality of isolated, disconnected good or sinful deeds, which can be sufficiently understood and judged each by itself. They usually have their roots in basic decisions which give purpose and determination to the whole of man’s life. Human actions do not constitute a plurality of isolated, disconnected good or sinful deeds, which can be sufficiently understood and judged each by itself. They usually have their roots in basic decisions which give purpose and determination to the whole of man’s life. Karl Peschke

Fundamental Option and Human Actions Thus, the question we need to ask is not so much “what wrong things have I done and how often?” Rather we should be asking ourselves “how do the wrong things I have done indicate my general orientation to God, my love for God, my love for my neighbor? The real question is: “what are the desires, the tendencies, the habits, the values that govern my life?” “Where is my life heading?” - Ian Knox

References Aurelio Fernandez and James Socias. Our Moral Life in Christ: A Basic Course on Moral Theology. Scepter Publishers, Inc.: Princeton, New Jersey Vincent J. Genovesi. In Pursuit of Love: Catholic Morality and Human Sexuality, 2 nd edition. Jesuit Communications Foundation, Inc.: Quezon City, Philippines Ian Knox. Theology for Teachers, 2 nd edition. Novalis: Ottawa, Canada Karl H. Peschke. Christian Ethics: Moral Theology in the Light of Vatican II. Divine Word Publications: Manila