What is the best course of action when I’m unsure if I’ve committed a minor or serious sin, or even if it was a sin at all.
A fundamental issue facing modern man is the inability to discern what’s truly important. This problem stems from a lack of balance between good and evil, a distortion that has seeped into the hearts of individuals everywhere.
He is torn between limitless desires and numerous temptations, forcing him to constantly choose between indulgence and renunciation. As a weak and sinful being, however, he often succumbs to actions he does not truly desire.
Modern humanism often leads people to attribute their actions to factors like heredity, temperament, and environment. While these factors may influence our behavior, they do not absolve us of our responsibility for the choices we make.
According to the Book of Sirach, God has given humanity the gift of reason and the freedom to choose between good and evil. As it is written, “The Lord has presented you with fire and water: you will stretch out your hand for whatever you want.” If we find ourselves uncertain, we can always seek guidance from those with more experience, such as parents, catechists, or priests, implying that we have the tools to make informed decisions..
GREATNESS OF SIN.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines sin as a deliberate and voluntary act that contravenes God’s law. Sins are categorized as grave, or mortal, when involving serious matters, and venial when they concern less serious issues.
According to Jesus, grave sin severs one’s relationship with God and is characterized by violations of fundamental commandments, including those against killing, adultery, theft, bearing false witness, and dishonoring one’s parents, as well as neglecting to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Mt 19, 18-19).
To be considered conscious and voluntary, an action must be committed with awareness that it is evil, contrary to God’s law, and done with our full consent. According to the Catechism, unrepented grave sin leads to exclusion from God’s kingdom and damnation, while lesser sin weakens but does not destroy the state of sanctifying grace.
According to the Catechism, unrepentant venial sin impedes spiritual progress, incurs temporal punishment, and disposes us to committing grave sin.
LEGALIST ATTITUDE.
The catechism’s categorization of sins can lead to a legalistic view of sin, making it seem more like a transgression against impersonal norms rather than an offense against the loving God who established those laws. In the Christian understanding, sin is an act against the loving God, not just a breach of cold legislation.
When people ask whether an act is a grave or venial sin, the catechism offers guidance, but it’s also essential to consider the role of love. Saints often performed great acts of repentance for seemingly small things because their love for God was immense. Instead of focusing solely on the gravity of the sin, we should measure its weight by the depth of love it offends.
CORRECTLY FORMED CONSCIENCE.
