Transcript theol_ 11 Sin and Conversion ch_ 7

Sin and Conversion
Our relationship with God
Evil in the world
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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.
Definition of sin
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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
Meaning of sin in the Bible
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Old Testament
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Deviance or fall
Rebelliousness
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New Testament
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“to lose the path”
Iniquity or injustice
Sin as personal act
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Sin is an act of human freedom which comes
from our knowledge. A person is always
responsible for his own sins.
Consequences of sin
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Our relationship with God
Our selves – guilt
Our community
Loss of the meaning of sin
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“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:
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Cultural and ethical relativism
Incorrect statements of modern psychology
Confusion between morality and legality
secularism
Divisions of sin
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Origin
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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
Divisions of sin
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Gravity
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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
Divisions of sin
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Intent
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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.
Divisions of sin
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Manner
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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
Divisions of sin
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Manifestation
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External – committed with words or actions
Internal – thoughts or desires
We are required to avoid the “near occasions of sin.”
Effects of sin
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Mortal sin
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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.
Conversion and forgiveness
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Call to conversion/forgiveness in the
scriptures
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John the Baptist
Jesus
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The Samaritan woman
The Prodigal son
The woman caught in adultery
The good thief
Sacrament of Reconciliation
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Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of
forgiveness. It forgives original sin and any
other sins.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
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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.
Contrition
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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.