The Fall &
The Prodigal Son
The Prodigal Son
Adam & Eve were first tempted to eat the forbidden fruit by this creature.
Who is the serpent?
This type of sin "destroys the love in our hearts, referred to in the Catechism as sanctifying grace."
What is Mortal Sin?
The Hebrew word, "hatta" is an old archer's term which means this.
What is it to miss the mark?
Rather than taking action, this term indicates a failure to perform a good act such as to forgive someone who wronged us.
What is a 'Sin of Omission?'
In the 'Parable of the Prodigal Son,' the younger son demanded this from his Father at the start of the story.
What is his inheritance?
This type of sin "wounds or weakens charity in our hearts."
What is Venial Sin?
What is to break (from another)?
This term for sin refers not to personal sin, per se, but to the fallen state of mankind, inherited from our first parents (Adam and Eve), into which the individual is born.
God says to Adam and Eve that they, "...shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest..." this happen.
What is 'to die?'
For a sin to be considered "mortal" it must meet these three criteria.
What are the criteria of (i) grave matter, (ii) full knowledge, and (iii) deliberate consent?
The Hebrew word "pesha" is particularly important for understanding sin, as it refers to breaking with this important biblical bond.
What is the Covenant relationship?
If one willfully entertains this, it can be considered sinful, even if it has yet to manifest itself in evil exterior actions.
What are 'Sinful Thoughts and Attitudes'?
When the Prodigal Son realizes his mistake, thinking, "How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!" he plans to go to his Father and tell him this.
What is the apology, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants"?
These are sins which certainly "violate the moral order" – and about which we can make a judgment regarding "the act itself" – but in which a person's subjective guilt is not taken into account.
What are Material Sins?
More than just breaking a rule, all words which contribute to a Catholic concept of sin highlight how choosing evil does this.
What is it to break the familial relationship with our God?
This is the "corporate effect of personal sins on the Mystical Body of Christ."
What is Social Sin?
In both the Fall, after Adam and Eve are cast out of the Garden, and in the 'Parable of the Prodigal Son,' God / the Father does this.
What is – He clothes them?
These are sins for which a person who performs an evil action is actually guilty.
What are Formal Sins?
The Hebrew word "awon" means to 'go off track' but it also refers to this action.
What is it to bend or twist?
This refers to "political institutions that oppress persons and violate their human dignity; stifle their freedom and foster inequality."
What are 'Sinful Structures?'