I am Catholic
Mortal sin is Mortal Combat
By Pat Miron
Allow me my friend to add another layer of understanding, rather than simply comment on the Great Theologian; Thomas Aquinas profound teaching on Mortal Sin.
There are in my opinion, two Divine mysteries that are so profound that they alone ought to supply sufficient motivation for being a Informed, and Fully Practicing Catholic. They are the “Real Presence,” Catholic Holy Communion which invites one to an intimate union with our Creator God, far more intimate and personal than even married love. For is this Blessed Sacrament we not only participate “in it“, we literally SHARE in its substance as we become One with our God. …. The Second mystery deals with the forgiveness of our sins in the manner God Himself has ordained. [And therefore the ONLY sure method]. The result when we participate humbly; repent and convert from our hearts, ,further supported by our future actions is “Known forgiveness of our sins.” No greater source of true-inner-peace and inexpressible joy is known to humanity.
Luke.15: 7“Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
The past few hundred years has seen the introduction by mortal men, various subtle “shortcuts,“ that are
deceitful, devious, duplicitous, underhanded, unreliable, untrustworthy, and motivated by a need for expediency driven by [radio, then television broadcast time restrictions]. Theologies like the “Sinners Prayer,“ and teaching that one need only “Know Christ” to be saved; that once one “is saved” [OSAS] one can [will /does] no longer sin is further lead by selling a pleasing hoax to human understanding, while trying to alter a complex and profound Divine teaching. Likely well motivated; but nevertheless a Grave endangering of Souls, anything different than what God himself clearly commands is a very high risk belief. These are myths, a hoax, perpetrated on gullible innocent children of God. Another motive is “an easier, less painful, less humiliating way,” necessarily quicker, and facilitating the “easy-sell” on Broadcast media as an “quick-fix” alterative to Catholic Teachings.
Any informed discussion about sin will evolve around mans personal choices, mans own freewill-decisions. It would be a good idea to frame our discussion with a few bible passages, to insure the understanding that what we share is of Devine, not human origin. The background for what we Catholics understand and teach, believe and practice comes from both Sacred Tradition of the Old Testament, and Revelation by the teachings of Christ Himself in the new perfected Covenant in Christ own Blood of the New Testament. It is highly significant that Christ Passion and the shedding of His Blood, share in both of these mysterious, and powerful Sacraments, and that God could have chosen other ways to accomplish these task.
Sin can only exist because of 1.
The manner in which we emulate our God. Possessing too a mind, intellect and a FREEWILL that are permanently attached to our Souls. without which sin would not be possible. 2. Sin requires always and every time the freewill consent of man. Even when prodded by this or that circumstance or condition, which God has grated to Satan to test us; sin always is a personal choice we must make.
Sin can be defined
as: “Saying NO! to God.” Logic conforms to the reality of this offence being either 1. Lesser [Venial sins] or 2. Greater [Mortal sins]. Because God is “All Good things Perfected,” God’s response must be in relation and proportion to the offense, as JUDGED by God’s, not mans standard.
The GREATEST failing of humanity,
beginning with Adam and Eve and all humanity since is not being able to comprehend how deeply God abhors all sin. Sin attacks the very grain of Gods goodness, mercy and love. And what makes it even worse; it is as already stated, our freewill choice. It is a direct affront to God’s goodness, fairness and justice.
The origin of sin begin with Satan. God’s first creation in “his own image” was Angels who possess to a far greater degree than does humanity; a more nearly perfect intellect, mind, and freewill. Having a level of right understanding that we shall never possess in this mortal life. Both Angels and Adam and Eve lived a “perfect” existence lacking ONLY One Thing. NOT actually being God. Not simply being LIKE God; but actually being God. Driven by pride which is now Satan’s KEY to the lock on our souls, and further accessed through our emotions; Satan has enormous, unimagined powers of influence granted by God in order to test us. Facilitated even more by a ruthless lack of moral values, and completely without scruples, Satan is ALWAYS on “the attack.” . God seeks “perfect love” returned to Him, in response to the perfect love that He offers to us. The fact that we can and therefore MUST freely choose to love or to hate God, is what adds value nearing perfection to our right choice.
1John.1 Verses 8 to 10
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
1John.5 Verses 16 to 1
“If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is [also] sin which is not mortal.”
John.20 Verses 20 to 23
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained”
Heb.5 Verses 1 to 6 “For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was.” John.15: 16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
Lev.19:22“And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt offering before the LORD for his sin which he has committed; and the sin which he has committed shall be forgiven him.”
Let me be clear from the start. “Only God can and Only God does forgive our sins
.Acts.4: 12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Luke.11: 4“and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation.” [The Lord’s Prayer.]
Acts.2: 38“And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Exod.10: 17“Now therefore, forgive my sin, I pray you, only this once, and entreat the LORD your God only to remove this death from me.”
Matt.9: 2, 5-6 “And behold, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on his bed; and when Jesus saw their faith he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” For which is easier, to say, `Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, `Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – he then said to the paralytic — “Rise, take up your bed and go home.”
Matt.26: 28“for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Mark.1: 4“John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”
Let’s then resolve the issue of “WHY” forgiveness of sis in in an absolute sense necessary IF one is to attain the Eternal Bliss of heaven.