1. Our relationship with God
Sin and Conversion
Our relationship with God

2. Evil in the world All physical evils are the results of Adam’s sin.
Moral evil is freely chosen and can be avoided. Individuals are guilty of sin if they choose moral evil.
Sin is not unique to Catholic morality.

3. Definition of sin
Sin is any dead, work, or desire against eternal law.
Sin is the voluntary transgression of the divine moral law.
Sin is a turning away from God to creatures.
St. Augustine

4. Meaning of sin in the Bible
Old Testament
Deviance or fall
Rebelliousness
New Testament
“to lose the path”
Iniquity or injustice

5. Sin as personal act
Sin is an act of human freedom which comes from our knowledge. A person is always responsible for his own sins.
Consequences of sin
Our relationship with God
Our selves – guilt
Our community

6. Loss of the meaning of sin
“the sin of the century is the loss of the meaning of sin.” – Pope Pius XII
Factors contributing to the loss of the sense of sin:
Cultural and ethical relativism
Incorrect statements of modern psychology
Confusion between morality and legality
secularism

7. Divisions of sin Origin
Original – sin committed by our first parents; everyone is born with its effects which incline us to sin (concupiscence)
Actual – sin committed by an individual

8. Divisions of sin Gravity
Mortal sin – grace offense against God; destroys our relationship with God
Grave matter
Full knowledge
Complete consent
Venial sin – less serious offense against the love of God

9. Divisions of sin Intent
Formal – voluntary and freely chosen action contrary to the law of God
Material sin – involuntary act committed without wither full knowledge or full deliberation. Not a culpable transgression.

10. Divisions of sin Manner Commission – act is actually committed
Omission – act is something that is not done (e.g. failing to attend Mass on Sunday)
Social or institutional sins

11. Divisions of sin Manifestation
External – committed with words or actions
Internal – thoughts or desires
We are required to avoid the “near occasions of sin.”

12. Effects of sin Mortal sin Destroys love in the heart of man
Turns man away from God.
Venial sin
allows love to subsist, but weakens it
habitual, deliberate venial sin can lead to mortal sin through a gradual weakening of the love of God.

13. Conversion and forgiveness
Call to conversion/forgiveness in the scriptures
John the Baptist
Jesus
The Samaritan woman
The Prodigal son
The woman caught in adultery
The good thief

14. Sacrament of Reconciliation
Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness. It forgives original sin and any other sins.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Easter Sunday evening
Ordinary path to forgiveness (especially for mortal sins)
Should be received regularly. Church precepts tell us to receive the sacrament at least once a year.

15. Contrition
No sin can be forgiven – even in the sacrament of Reconciliation – without contrition, sorrow for sin.
Perfect contrition -- sorrow for sins because they have offended God
Imperfect contrition – sorrow for sin because it offends God, and because we fear His punishment.