SIN

1. SIN Unit IV: What kind of Person Does the Church Want Me to Become?

2. The word Jesus used for sin was satah“missing the mark” • Translated in the Gospels in Greek, hamartia • Originally an archery term, as in “you missed the target, take another shot” • The word “sin” is related to the Latin word sons, “guilty” connecting sin to Roman law, making sin more of a crime that needs some kind of punishment. WHAT IS A SIN?

3. Modern definition of sin: A sin is any action that alienates or cuts us off from ourselves, others, and God. WHAT IS A SIN?

4. Original Sin • The state of sinfulness into which all human beings are born • According to Church teaching, inherited from the first humans, and erased by the Sacrament of Baptism • Explains but does not erase sinful tendencies. Humans still sin • Humans are good people who do bad things TYPES OF SIN

5. Mortal 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 TYPES OF SIN

6. 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. TYPES OF SIN

7. 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. OTHER TYPES OF SIN

8. 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 OTHER TYPES OF SIN

9. Social Sin in the Church • Historically: Anti-Semitism, Anti-Islamism • Recently: Sexual Abuse, cover-up of abuse Social Sin in the U.S. • Historically: Slavery, Sexism, Racism • Recently:………..? Is there Social Sin at SMCHS? • Is there Racism, Homophobia, Classism, Sexism? • How is Bullying a Social Sin? • How is Cheating a Social Sin? SOCIAL SIN

10. The Seven Deadly Sins • 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 • Can lead to rape, sexual abuse, stalking, prostitution, porn • Can be countered by Chastity • Gluttony: overindulgence to the point of waste • Can lead to hunger of others, misuse of resources • Can be countered by Temperance

11. The Seven Deadly Sins • Originally a list of mortal sins • Better understood today as underlying attitudes that can lead to sinful behavior if left unchecked • Greed: excessive acquisition of wealth • Can lead to poverty of others, economic woes • Can be countered by Charity (caritas, agape) • Sloth: excessive indifference, failure to act • Can lead to sins of omission • Can be countered by Diligence

12. The Seven Deadly Sins • Wrath: uncontrolled anger or hatred • Can lead to rage, physical abuse, murder • Can be countered by Patience • Envy: excessive desire of what another has • Can lead to jealousy, stealing • Can be countered by Kindness • Pride: excessive love of self • Considered the worst of the Seven Deadly Sins because it leads to the others • Can be countered by Humility

13. If sinful behavior is humanity’s “bad news”, the good news is that we are capable of virtuous behavior • The Catholic Church teaches two main kinds of virtues attainable by every human person. • The Three Theological Virtues • The Four Cardinal Virtues THE VIRTUES

14. Faith, Hope and Love • Help us to become more like God • Only attainable through God’s grace • Can be asked for in prayer The Theological Virtues

15. Faith • Perfects the mind • Enables us to believe that which we cannot understand • Hope • Perfects the will • Enables us to trust in that which we cannot control Faith and Hope

16. Love • The greatest of the theological virtues • Also called charity; agape, caritas • Perfects the heart • Enables us to love as God loves—universally, unconditionally and completely • Love God with your whole heart, mind, soul, strength • Love your neighbor • Love your enemies Love

17. Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance • Cardinal, from the word cardo, “hinge” • The hinges on which all moral life pivots. • Help us to become better human beings • Can be learned and practiced by anyone The Cardinal Virtues

18. The first and most important of the cardinal virtues • Focused on the self • Defined as “Correct knowledge about what ought to be done and what ought to be avoided” • BUT—how do I know I am doing the right thing and not what I want to do? • Good counsel: ask God, yourself, and a trusted person Prudence

19. Focused on the relationship we have with others • Defined as “the determination to give to others what is rightfully due them.” • Morally or legally—an action, a possession, something exacted (such as redress or punishment) • Justice helps us moderate between our self-interest and the rights and needs of others Justice

20. Also called “courage” • Defined as “that which allows us to overcome our fear and steady our will in the face of obstacles” • Prudence and justice help us decide what should be done, and fortitude gives us the strength to do it. • Fortitude is NOT recklessness, rashness, or foolhardiness(which is why it is governed by prudence!) Fortitude

21. Also called “restraint” or “moderation” • Defined as “moderation in action, thought, or feeling” • Temperance has different names depending on which impulse is being restrained • Ex. abstinence, to help one refrain from indulgence in alcohol or sex • Temperance aids us in the combatting of the Deadly Sins • Ex. Proper release of anger works against Wrath, etc. Temperance

22. A Good Person Good Character Good Habits Good Actions Good Thoughts How do I become a good person? • Wehave a natural capacity for good character, but it must be developed through constant practice. • Good leaders (parents, teachers, civic leaders) are necessary to guide us in the development of good habits.