Sin is Like Pulling a Hangnail

[Melodeonist]

I recently found a connection, at least in my mind, between sin and pulling a hangnail off.

With a hangnail, we are tempted to pull it off. If we succumb to temptation we are usually left with a painful spot where the hangnail was. The same is true with sin. We are tempted to sin. If we give in, we are left with a painful spot on our soul.

What do you guys think?

 

[pianistclare]

My singular thought is: Why haven’t you gotten a Spiritual Director?

 

[Onestepahead]

Melodeonist, do you ever listen to Fr. Larry Richards? His awesome talks are on YouTube, and many churches offer Lighthouse Catholic Media dvd’s with his talks (among many others). When I read your post, I thought of Fr. Larry, because in his talks about confession and sin he says something like that…basically, when you choose to sin, the first thing that happens is that you get to have your own way. A person may think that’s a good thing, but it’s not, if you get my drift. Anyway, when I have time later today I’ll do a little research and get back to you.

 

[Melodeonist]

I have seen Fr. Larry on EWTN a few times. I didn’t know he had made a similar comparison! His talks are very inspiring.

@PianistClaire, I haven’t gotten one over the summer as I had been very, very lazy this summer. I regret it greatly. However, now that I’m in my College’s Newman Club I have met a guy from the Archdiocese who says he can help me get in touch with one. It’s a shame I was unable to stay for today’s Newman Club meeting because he had said that the thing they were discussing related to following the Ten Commandnents and would have helped me in regards to my confusions with sin.

 

[Onestepahead]

Hey, Melodeonist, I’m finally getting back to you about Fr. Larry Richards. If you go to YouTube and search for “Women’s Conference October 4, 2014 Speaker Fr. Larry Richards” you’ll find it. About 18 minutes into the video is where he speaks about “the first penalty of sin is when God gives us what we want”.

But please don’t just listen to that bit, please listen to the entire talk while you work around the house or go for a walk or something. His talks are incredible and I promise that you’ll learn from him and look at things differently from your current understanding. The story he tells at the end of his talk is unforgettable. God bless you, Melodeonist!

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Sin is sin. A hangnail is…umm…the consequence of many things none of which are sinful. Also, even physically you are not correct. The treatment for hangnails depends vastly upon the circumstance.

I must say, you are in a tough place. You keep trying to invent thing after thing after thing to try to find some solace in your spiritual life.

I think this is where you have to be humble and understand that you are basically a neophyte in the eyes of the church (yes, I know it’s been more than a year since you were accepted in) and that you lack the ability to discover great, spiritual truths on your own.

 

[JoyToTheWhirled]

I second Fr. Larry. His talk on confession had me in tears. Genuinely fabulous priest,even my protestant husband listens to him and has read ‘Be a man’ which was also an excellent series on EWTN.