Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 315 – Part II.

YOUCAT Question n. 315 – Part II. What is a sin in the first place?

(Youcat answer - repeated) A sin is a word, deed, or intention by which man deliberately and voluntarily offends against the true order of things, as God’s loving providence has arranged them.    

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 1851) It is precisely in the Passion, when the mercy of Christ is about to vanquish it, that sin most clearly manifests its violence and its many forms: unbelief, murderous hatred, shunning and mockery by the leaders and the people, Pilate's cowardice and the cruelty of the soldiers, Judas' betrayal - so bitter to Jesus, Peter's denial and the disciples' flight. However, at the very hour of darkness, the hour of the prince of this world (Cf. Jn 14:30), the sacrifice of Christ secretly becomes the source from which the forgiveness of our sins will pour forth inexhaustibly.      

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) To sin means more than to violate some rules about which men have agreed. Sin turns freely and deliberately against God’s love and ignores him. Sin is ultimately “love of oneself even to contempt of God” (St. Augustine), and in the extreme case the sinful creature says, “I want to be like God” (see Gen 3:5). Just as sin burdens me with guilt, wounds me, and by its consequences ruins me, so too it poisons and damages the world in which I live. It becomes possible to recognize sin and its seriousness by drawing near to God.   

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 1871) Sin is an utterance, a deed, or a desire contrary to the eternal law (St. Augustine, Faust 22: PL 42, 418). It is an offense against God. It rises up against God in a disobedience contrary to the obedience of Christ. (CCC 1872) Sin is an act contrary to reason. It wounds man's nature and injures human solidarity.    

(The next question is: How can we distinguish serious sins (mortal sins) from less serious (venial) sins?)