Stage 1: Alienation from Self, God, Family or Community  Through Ignorance  or Blindness Stage 2: Awareness Other names for this :  Raising of Conscience  Coming to our Senses  Waking up  Hitting Bottom  “ I have sinned:” Sacramental Moment

Stage 3: Conversion  “turning around”  change of heart  Metanoia “think again” Stage 4: Contrition  Sorrow for doing wrong

Stage 5: Reconciliation with Self, God, Family, or Community The Prodigal Son, Rembrandt

The Rite of Reconciliation  Confession—words acknowledging sinfulness  Act of Contrition—words expressing sorrow  Penance— action demonstrating repentance of the sinner  Absolution—pronouncement of God’s forgiveness of sins

What is a sin?  Any action that alienates or cuts us off from ourselves, others, and God. Two main types of sin  Mortal sin  Venial sin

 Mortal (or Serious) sin  A very grave or serious violation of God’s law done willingly and knowingly.  Cuts us off completely from God.  Can only be forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconciliation

 Venial sin?  Venial means “forgivable.”  A less serious offense  Weakens our relationship with God, but does not cut us off.  Can be forgiven through any Sacrament, as long as there is true contrition for one’s sins.  Reconciliation, Anointing, Eucharist, all have the power to forgive a venial sin

Sin of Commission vs. Sin of Omission  A sin of commission is doing something sinful; an action.  A sin of omission is NOT doing something you could have done, usually for someone’s good; a lack of action.  Biblical example: the two men who passed by the beaten man in the story of Good Samaritan.  Modern example: passing by a homeless person without offering to help in some way.

Personal Sin vs. Social Sin  Personal sin is an individual act of wrongdoing  Social sin is the wrongdoing of an entire community, usually against the common good.  Prophets make us aware of our social sin  Biblical examples:  The prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures; John the Baptist; Jesus—all openly challenged the social sins of their leaders  Modern Examples:  Sins in the economy (homelessness, Wall Street greed)  Sins against humanity (genocide, racism, Katrina victims)  MLK Jr., Elie Wiesel—modern-day prophets

Social Sin in the Church  Sexual Abuse, cover-up of abuse  Anti-Semitism, Anti-Islamism Social Sin at SMCHS?  Bullying?  Racism, Homophobia, Classism, Sexism, Cheating?

 Originally a list of mortal sins  Better understood today as underlying attitudes that can lead to sinful behavior if left unchecked  Lust: excessive sexual thoughts  Gluttony: overindulgence to the point of waste  Greed: excessive acquisition of wealth  Sloth: excessive indifference, failure to act  Wrath: uncontrolled anger or hatred  Envy: excessive desire of what another has  Pride: excessive love of self (considered the worst of the Seven Deadly Sins because it leads to the others!)