I agree, but what I am seeing in many new publications from Catholic sources is the rejection of the belief in sin. I do not know who wrote the article but it said, sin in our Scriptures, is about separating, then it implied that we should not sin by thinking this way, and that we should not fear God because of God’s merciful love. It is a twisted and worrisome message.
God has set out His laws for us to obey for our own good. When we choose His ways we will be happier and receive our reward, maybe not in this life, but in Heaven. If not, we will face His judgement. We do not know how He will judge us. He loves us and we know this because Jesus was sent to this world for us and Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins, but we must be sorry for our sins and ask for forgiveness. We can ask God to have mercy on us and forgive us because of His Son’s sacrifice, and we must do this in prayer. We can also go to the Mother of Christ and ask her to pray for us. We separate ourselves from God when we sin and must ask for forgiveness, and then if God so chooses, in His Wisdom, His mercy will be given to us.
There have been two schools of teaching through out history and some are rooted in Old Testament teaching from a literal standpoint, others from the New Testament as taught by Jesus Christ and St Paul.
First off, the true definition of “sin,” from the theological standpoint, is to miss the mark. The analogy of an archer aiming for his target, but misses. This is sin. We strive to do good, but miss the mark. It gives us a different idea of the meaning of sin.
For centuries the Church taught that God is a tyrannical God, looking to throw sinners into eternal damnation, while those with the stronger will-power, He reward. This is hardly the God Jesus taught us about.
Even the OP of this thread, Pope Francis is telling us that God is greater than our sins, and will forgive the repentant sinner and show him mercy. Why are we resisting this ?
The Bible is more about God’s mercy and forgiveness than about his wrath, but most Christians, especially Catholics, are stuck on God’s wrath and that there will be very few Catholics who go to heaven, even devote Catholics. For them, there is no joy of salvation, but anguish that they’ll never hit the mark.
Pope John Paul II said that God does not send anyone to hell, souls go there on their own because they reject God. He too taught that God is merciful.
God’s laws, are laws of goodness rather than orders to obey.
We are free when we obey God’s laws and what are the two greatest laws Jesus gave us ?
Jesus said to love God with your whole being and your neighbor as yourself. This is the summation of the ten commandments which we need to examine ourselves against.
Christianity isn’t about sin management, its about our relational love with Jesus Christ.
Christianity evolves, which is why we no longer burn heretics or give plenary indulgences for those who volunteer to go to war against infidels.
So, when you say you see Catholic publications not teaching about sin, they’re probably teaching the proper attitude about what sin is, but also what forgiveness is.
Jim
