po18guy
Well-known member
Your viewpoint is entirely reasonable for you to hold, coming as it does from a Protestant stance. The first letter of John (1 John 5:16) tells us that some sins lead to death, while others do not. This is the primary biblical basis for the division between sins. The Catholic Church makes a division between categories of sins because it is an Apostolic Church and the Apostle John wrote that there are both mortal and venial sins.
What to do about sin? The same Lord that convicts us of sin via His Holy Spirit also provides us with several mechanisms by which we may be cleansed of sin. Confess it, certainly, but how do you know if you are forgiven? In private confession you get no answer. Eternity in hell could be riding on that answer. When Jesus forgave sins, he told the sinner as much (Matthew 9:2, 9:5, Mark 2:5, Luke 5:20, 7:48). The Catholic and Orthodox Churches therefore offer the Christ-established (Matthew 18:18, John 20:23) Sacrament of Confession/Reconciliation. In that Sacrament, you hear the words of absolution, and you are then certain that your sins have been forgiven.
Even the name of the Sacrament tells the faithful that a division, or damage to our relationship with God has indeed occurred, due to our sins. In addition to this, the Sacrament of Anointing, used for the healing of the sick and as a preparation to enter into eternity, also cleanses of sin. Each day, we are afforded the opportunity to receive the Holy Eucharist, which also remits venial sins. Note that there is no “bright line” between the two classes of sin. John did not specify, and with good reason, as he was inspired to avoid the rigid legalism of the Pharisaic enforcement of the Mosaic law. We are to ponder the effects of our sin and so ask to be lead way from them and strengthened against them. There are sins which are obviously mortal by their very nature, and some which are very minor. However, God reads the heart and knows our intent when we sin.
Does your your faith background teach on the cleansing of sin post-death? Jesus made reference to sins that will not be forgiven in this life, or in the next (Matthew 12:32), clearly indicating that some sin will indeed be forgiven in the next life. Saint Paul writes that the day of the Lord (judgment) will reveal a man’s work (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). A man’s work will be tested, and if it burns and is consumed, still he will be saved, but only as through fire. So, where is this cleansing by fire? Not in hell, as there is no return from there. Where, then? Catholics have the teaching on the purgation process, in which souls “in the next” life are cleansed and made pure so as to enter into the Kingdom. Nothing impure may enter into God’s presence (Revelation 21:27), and we all die with some level of sin on our souls. Are we all then doomed? No!, say Jesus, John and Saint Paul.
I would imagine that you may not be familiar with the books of 1 & 2 Maccabees. Well, the Catholic and orthodox bibles have always had these books. In 2 Maccabees 12, the high priest Judas Maccabeus gathered an offering for those who died in battle while wearing forbidden amulets of idols. It was obvious to them that the men died for that very reason. Since he was high Priest, he made the offering that the sins of the dead might be wholly blotted out. The writer also tells us that it was a good and holy practice to pray for the dead, as Judas had their resurrection in mind when he made the offering. Here is a link to 2 Maccabees 12.
So, rather than a blurring or lack of focus on sin, the Catholic Church emphasizes the evil of sin and provides innumerable paths to repentance, cleansing from it, and avoidance of it. This is because sin is the only thing that can separate us from God - both in this life and in the next, which never ends.
