CHAPTER SIX Sin and Forgiveness

We Are Sinners Capital sins Moral vices that give rise to many other failures to love.

We Are Sinners Sloth – laziness Gluttony – immoderate consumption of food or drink Lust – craving for sexual pleasure Anger – desire for revenge Envy – sorrow over another’s good fortune Greed – desire for earthly goods Pride – excessively high opinion of oneself Seven Capital Sins

The Reality of Sin Sin is:  An offense against reason, truth, and right conscience  A failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain goods  An utterance, deed, or a desire contrary to the eternal law

The Reality of Sin  There is much evidence of the existence of sin in the world today.  Jesus Christ came to save us from our sins.

The Bible on Sin Old Testament Images of Sin hattah – missing the mark pesha – rebellion awon – guilt or iniquity

Consequences of sin: alienates us from God alienates us from ourselves alienates us from others The Bible on Sin

The New Testament on Sin, Jesus, and Forgiveness New Testament descriptions of sin: missing the mark lawlessness injustice falsehood darkness The Bible on Sin

The New Testament on Sin, Jesus, and Forgiveness The most profound explanation of sin as found in the New Testament is “a refusal to love, to accept God’s offer of friendship and grace in our Lord Jesus Christ”. The Bible on Sin

Different Kinds of Sin Original sin All humans are born into the disharmonious situation of our world to which we are all subject.

Different Kinds of Sin Original Sin Versus Personal Sin An inclination toward evil caused by original sin. “The rebellion of the ‘flesh’ against the spirit” (CCC 2515). concupiscence

Different Kinds of Sin Original Sin Versus Personal Sin mortal sin venial sin personal sin A failure to love God above everything and our neighbors as ourselves

Different Kinds of Sin Original Sin Versus Personal Sin mortal sin Total rejection of God and alienation from him Three conditions must be present: 1.Grave matter 2.Full knowledge 3.Complete consent

Different Kinds of Sin Original Sin Versus Personal Sin Venial sin Personal sin that weakens but does not kill our relationship with God.

Different Kinds of Sin Original Sin Versus Personal Sin violence and injustice caused by individual sins A cycle of sin Social Sin Examples: greed selfish actions pride and prejudice envy lust avarice

Different Kinds of Sin Reconciliation A sacrament of healing, also known as Penance or Confession, through which Christ extends his forgiveness to sinners Original Sin Versus Personal Sin

Conversion and the Sacrament of Reconciliation repentancecontrition Change of mind or change of heart Heartfelt sorrow and aversion for sins committed along with the intention to sin no more

Conversion and the Sacrament of Reconciliation absolution The statement by which a priest, speaking as the official minister of Christ’s Church, declares forgiveness of sins to a repentant sinner in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The formula of absolution reads: “I absolve you from your sins; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Elements of the Sacrament Five Steps of the Sacrament of Reconciliation: 1.Examine your conscience. 2.Have contrition for your sins. 3.Confess your sins. 4.Absolution. 5.Do the penance assigned.

V OCABULARY Capital sins Original sin Concupiscence Personal sin Mortal sin Venial sin Social sin Reconciliation Repentance Contrition Absolution