Catholic Teaching about Stopping Sin

[patricius79]

I am asking this of someone who has carefully investigated these questions in Scripture, Tradition, and Magisterium of the Church

Is there anything contrary to the Catholic faith in believing that one can stop sinning even in a venial way during this life?

 

[DavidFilmer]

No, there is no doctrine to the contrary.

In fact, the Church implicitly teaches that spiritual perfection is possible while on earth (spiritual perfection is the aversion of all sin, mortal and venial). The Church has canonized (at least) three Saints who taught this, and these Saints are Doctors of the Church. St.s Theresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross (both Doctors) laid the foundations of this teaching, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux (aka the Little Flower) was named a Doctor of the Church specifically because of her teaching that this perfection is possible in ordinary lives - we do not need to live lives of epic virtue (she called this her “little way” - and it is the way to spiritual perfection).

By elevating three Saints to Doctor because of their teaching on spiritual perfection the Church implicitly embraces this teaching.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

I am asking this of someone who has carefully investigated these questions in Scripture, Tradition, and Magisterium of the Church

Is there anything contrary to the Catholic faith in believing that one can stop sinning even in a venial way during this life?

Better be prudent.
The Bible says that the Just sins 7 times a day…
And Jesus called us to be perfect like the Father is perfect…
Boy, What a challenge…

 

[DavidFilmer]

And I’m pretty sure the Church teaches - as Doctrine - that Mary never committed either mortal or venial sin (as well as Jesus, but that’s a bit different, him being God and all that). So it is certainly possible.

The full text of the passage referenced by the previous poster:

[bibledrb]matthew 5:48[/bibledrb]

I’m still working on that one…

 

[Swiss_Guy]

I suppose it’s possible. Wouldn’t that mean you spend no time in purgatory and just go straight to heaven? And since that’s been done at least once for sure (Mary) it is possible. AFter all, Jesus said to be perfect.

 

[patricius79]

No, there is no doctrine to the contrary.

In fact, the Church implicitly teaches that spiritual perfection is possible while on earth (spiritual perfection is the aversion of all sin, mortal and venial). The Church has canonized (at least) three Saints who taught this, and these Saints are Doctors of the Church. St.s Theresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross (both Doctors) laid the foundations of this teaching, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux (aka the Little Flower) was named a Doctor of the Church specifically because of her teaching that this perfection is possible in ordinary lives - we do not need to live lives of epic virtue (she called this her “little way” - and it is the way to spiritual perfection).

By elevating three Saints to Doctor because of their teaching on spiritual perfection the Church implicitly embraces this teaching.

thanks, David. interesting

some of the Scriptures I would cite are:

“with God all things are possible”

“love the Lord your God will all your heart and neigbor as yourself and you will live” Lk 10:27,28

“whatever you ask in my name will be done for you, by my father”

now what could God want more than for us to do His will completely?

 

[patricius79]

And I’m pretty sure the Church teaches - as Doctrine - that Mary never committed either mortal or venial sin (as well as Jesus, but that’s a bit different, him being God and all that). So it is certainly possible.

now as I understand it, Mary did not suffer from concupiscence. so one might ask: is it possible to avoid all sin if one has concupiscence (which of course is not sinful in itself)?

I’m a little surprised that nobody is making the claim that this is not possible or is a heretical idea

 

[clmowry]

Possible of our own volition, no. Possible with Gods grace, yes.

Likely to happen, no, but it is what we are instructed to strive for none the less.

Chuck

No, there is no doctrine to the contrary.

In fact, the Church implicitly teaches that spiritual perfection is possible while on earth (spiritual perfection is the aversion of all sin, mortal and venial). The Church has canonized (at least) three Saints who taught this, and these Saints are Doctors of the Church. St.s Theresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross (both Doctors) laid the foundations of this teaching, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux (aka the Little Flower) was named a Doctor of the Church specifically because of her teaching that this perfection is possible in ordinary lives - we do not need to live lives of epic virtue (she called this her “little way” - and it is the way to spiritual perfection).

By elevating three Saints to Doctor because of their teaching on spiritual perfection the Church implicitly embraces this teaching.

 

[DavidFilmer]

I’m a little surprised that nobody is making the claim that this is not possible or is a heretical idea

So far, only Catholics have responded. But I think that many Catholics are not aware of the idea of spiritual perfection on earth, so I am a little surprised myself. I was unaware of it until I was informed by my wife, a secular Carmelite (for these past 18 years). Carmelites know this stuff like the back of their hand (and the three Doctors I named are all Carmelites, whom I learned of from my wife).

But the Carmelites do not have a monopoly on this aspect of Catholic spirituality. For example, St. Ignatius of Loyola (the founder of the Jesuit Order) is widely regarded as having achieved spiritual perfection, and his Spiritual Exercises are also regarded as a means of achieving perfection.

Oddly enough, this theology is not confined to Catholicism. John Wesley, an Anglican churchman, is well known as the guy who invented the Methodist denomination. But prior to that, he invented the Holiness movement. He later abandoned this theology, but his ideas live on even today in various “Holiness” denominations. And one of the defining aspects of Holiness theology is the recognition that we can achieve spiritual perfection while on earth.

It is unknown whether Wesley came up with this on his own, or learned of it from various Catholic Saints. But one thing we do know - there are a small but significant number of protestants who also also accept this teaching.

 

[DavidFilmer]

A bit of curious Googling turned up this article from the old Catholic Encyclopedia:

The perfection of the soul increases in proportion with the possession of charity. He who possesses the perfection which excludes mortal sin obtains salvation, is united to God, and is said to be just, holy, and perfect. The perfection of charity, which excludes also venial sin and all affections which separate the heart from God, signifies a state of active service of God and of frequent, fervent acts of the love of God. This is the perfect fulfilment of the law (Matthew 22:37), as God is the primary object of charity.

 

[patricius79]

Thank you very much David and ClMowry–especially the part from the old Catholic Encylopedia

I think this is a good thing to reflect on in prepation for Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday, when the absolute depths of Divine Mercy are available to all souls