Wednesday, December 26, 2012
396. When does one commit a venial sin?
(Comp 396) One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal
sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when
full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the
covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection
for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the
virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which
purifies.
“In brief”
(CCC 1875) Venial sin constitutes a moral disorder that is
reparable by charity, which it allows to subsist in us.
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 1862) One commits venial
sin when, in a less serious matter, he does not observe the standard
prescribed by the moral law, or when he disobeys the moral law in a grave
matter, but without full knowledge or without complete consent. (CCC 1864)
“Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the
blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven” (Mt 12:31; cf. Mk 3:29; Lk
12:10). There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who deliberately
refuses to accept his mercy by repenting, rejects the forgiveness of his sins
and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit (Cf. John Paul II, DeV 46). Such hardness of heart can lead
to final impenitence and eternal loss.
Reflection
(CCC 1863) Venial sin weakens charity; it manifests a
disordered affection for created goods; it impedes the soul's progress in the
exercise of the virtues and the practice of the moral good; it merits temporal
punishment. Deliberate and unrepented venial sin disposes us little by little
to commit mortal sin. However venial sin does not break the covena nt with God.
With God's grace it is humanly reparable. "Venial sin does not deprive the
sinner of sanctifying grace, friendship with God, charity, and consequently
eternal happiness" (John Paul II, RP 17 § 9). While he is in the flesh,
man cannot help but have at least some light sins. But do not despise these
sins which we call "light": if you take them for light when you weigh
them, tremble when you count them. A number of light objects makes a great
mass; a number of drops fills a river; a number of grains makes a heap. What
then is our hope? Above all, confession… (St. Augustine, In ep. Jo. 1, 6: PL 35, 1982).
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