Sins and Attitudes

Sinful actions flow from our inner attitudes.

Sin is rooted primarily in the heart.

"Listen, and understand. What goes into the mouth does not make a man unclean; it is what comes out of the mouth that makes him unclean… For from the heart come evil intentions: murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, slander. These are things that make a man unclean. But to eat with unwashed hands does not make a man unclean" (Mt 15:10-11,19-20)

Admitting responsibility for our actions is a necessary step in changing the human-based evils in our world (#1848). The grace that allows us to make this admission is a grace of courage. Understanding the situation is one step, but what is required is repentance - turning away from sin and toward God again (#1847, 1856, 1888).

Certainly we must avoid the temptation to wallow in guilt. We must avoid the tendency to connect guilt or pain with the practice of our religion. We are not holier if we are in pain. We are holier if we are willing to admit reality, even if it brings us pain. We must look at neurotic or compulsive behavior and call it by name so we can look at genuine guilt and real sin and call them by name. We must avoid that particular disorder of our times wherein guilt remains unseen even when it is present (#1848). Our call is to recognize the facts, accept responsibility for our faults, accept the grace of God and the difficult process of growth in life.