In a recent homily, Pope Francis said, "Sin is a rebellious act against God that requires more than just a trip to the dry cleaners to wipe clean." What did he mean and what does it mean for us?
It seems to have become a concept that as a society we've forgotten: sin. What is it really and why is it important to flee from it? It is interesting to note that the same man who made this statement is the one who answered one of the very first interview questions of his pontificate, "Who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?" by saying: "I am a sinner. This the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner." When informed that he had been elected Pope and was asked to accept, he is said to have responded, "I am a sinner, but I trust in the infinite mercy and patience of our Lord Jesus Christ." Clearly, this is a person who has spent a great deal thinking about the nature of sinfulness - both his own and that of the people he has been called to shepherd. So when he speaks on it so specifically, it might be worthwhile to reflect on what he has to say.
"I would say that it is our first name: Sinner," Pope Francis said during the Friday homily. "Why are we sinners? We have disobeyed -- always in relation with the Lord. He said one thing and we have done another. We did not listen to the voice of the Lord." In this he states the Church's teaching on the nature of sin from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC): "As long as freedom [the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one's own responsibility] has not bound itself definitively to its ultimate good which is God, there is the possibility of choosing between good and evil, and thus of growing in perfection or of failing and sinning. This freedom characterizes properly human acts. It is the basis of praise or blame, merit or reproach" (CCC 1731,1732). Using our freedom in directions contrary to God's will is an abuse of that freedom; the definition of sin.
Quite contrary to "conventional wisdom", the consequence of habitual living in a state of sin is one of slavery, not freedom. As Jesus himself said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin" (John 8:34b). The effects of that slavery can be seen: the heartbreak and sadness caused by the so-called "freedom" of the sexual revolution, the broken marriages and families resulting from easy divorce, even the attempts to re-define objective reality (such as the definition of marriage and the sanctity of human life) due to our placing ourselves instead of God as the center of all that is.
Is there a way to redemption? Yes. Immediately after discussing the nature and consequences of sin, the Holy Father went on to say that even the immediate effect of following a sinful act - presuming we have not dulled our consciences to the point of silence - can have a benefit. “Shame is a grace. When the Lord sees us this way - ashamed of what we have done and asking forgiveness with humility - he is the all-powerful one: he erases (sin), he embraces us, he caresses us and he forgives us.” Even shame can lead to a true repentance through which “opens the door to healing." Recognition of our need for healing and then seeking that healing - by personal contrition and use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation - both (i) provides the cleansing of the wound of sin as well as (ii) gives the grace for strength against the future temptation to sin.
"I would say that it is our first name: Sinner," Pope Francis said during the Friday homily. "Why are we sinners? We have disobeyed -- always in relation with the Lord. He said one thing and we have done another. We did not listen to the voice of the Lord." In this he states the Church's teaching on the nature of sin from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC): "As long as freedom [the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one's own responsibility] has not bound itself definitively to its ultimate good which is God, there is the possibility of choosing between good and evil, and thus of growing in perfection or of failing and sinning. This freedom characterizes properly human acts. It is the basis of praise or blame, merit or reproach" (CCC 1731,1732). Using our freedom in directions contrary to God's will is an abuse of that freedom; the definition of sin.
Quite contrary to "conventional wisdom", the consequence of habitual living in a state of sin is one of slavery, not freedom. As Jesus himself said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin" (John 8:34b). The effects of that slavery can be seen: the heartbreak and sadness caused by the so-called "freedom" of the sexual revolution, the broken marriages and families resulting from easy divorce, even the attempts to re-define objective reality (such as the definition of marriage and the sanctity of human life) due to our placing ourselves instead of God as the center of all that is.
Is there a way to redemption? Yes. Immediately after discussing the nature and consequences of sin, the Holy Father went on to say that even the immediate effect of following a sinful act - presuming we have not dulled our consciences to the point of silence - can have a benefit. “Shame is a grace. When the Lord sees us this way - ashamed of what we have done and asking forgiveness with humility - he is the all-powerful one: he erases (sin), he embraces us, he caresses us and he forgives us.” Even shame can lead to a true repentance through which “opens the door to healing." Recognition of our need for healing and then seeking that healing - by personal contrition and use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation - both (i) provides the cleansing of the wound of sin as well as (ii) gives the grace for strength against the future temptation to sin.
Mercy is the true power that can save humanity and the world from sin and evil.
Our FORMED Recommendation for the Week
Movie (2:53:18) - Pope John Paul II
https://formed.org/watch/571e97760acd238c0799ae42
This epic film follows Karol Wojtyla’s journey from his youth in Poland through his late days on the Chair of St. Peter. It explores his life behind the scenes: how he touched millions of people, changed the face of the Church and the world, and how he defended the dignity of mankind. Jon Voight’s powerful, Emmy-nominated performance as John Paul II was widely praised, as was Cary Elwes as the young Karol. Shot on location in Rome and Poland in close connection with the Vatican, this is the definitive epic film on the life of Pope John Paul II. Stars Jon Voight, Cary Elwes, Ben Gazzara, James Cromwell, and Christopher Lee.
If you haven't done so already, go to www.formed.org, click on the REGISTER button and enter our parish code V8KNDV). Enter your e-mail address on the registration screen and you're good to go!
Do you like these weekly eCommunity mailings and think that family members or friends could benefit? Invite them either by having them text VisitationBrick to 84576 on their smartphone or by signing up on our parish website at http://visitationrcchurch.org/ - we'd love to have them join us!