Go Forth and Sin No More

Discussions with others about morality and sin can be very uncomfortable.  No one wants to be told something they are doing is wrong.  This is especially true when someone knows what they are doing is wrong and they are doing it anyway.

But when reaching out to others to bring them unto the fullness of the Faith, one can avoid such discussions only for so long.  And in such discussions, one must tread lightly.  Delivery is important, lest we risk pushing someone further from Christ rather than bringing the person closer to Christ.

This is a difficult burden for Catholics. We believe it is our duty to admonish the sinner.  This is one of the Spiritual Works of Mercy.

Common Response

When breaching the difficult subject of sin, it is not uncommon to be condemned for being judgmental or intolerant.  Some may even use scripture as a bludgeon with the claim that one is a hypocrite.

Many of us have heard the biblically based phrase, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”  More than once, this argument has been pressed against me to shut down a discussion about morality.  After all, each of us is a sinner.  How can one talk to another about his or her sin when both parties are clearly sinners?

Well, sins are sins even if the one pointing them out is a sinner.  Telling someone they have a flat tire is not the same as pushing someone’s car over a cliff.  The same is true in this case.  Pointing out sin is not the same as stoning someone.

Be that as it may, there is much more to the biblical story of “casting the first stone.”

The Rest of the Story

Chronicled in the Gospel of John is the account of the Woman Caught in Adultery.  Many who want to justify their sins or those of others, only discuss the first half of this event.  “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

The ending is particularly important.  After Christ disperses the mob, he turns to the woman and says, “Has no one condemned you?”

She replies, “No one, sir.”

Then Jesus says, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

Christ’s final command is very important.  Actually, it is extremely important.  His command is also difficult for all of us to follow.

When someone uses this story to justify being tolerant of sinners, remind the person how the story ended.  Christ ended the story by forgiving the sins of the woman and commanding her to sin no more.

Demonstrating a Pathway to Redemption

Although we are sinners, redemption is possible for all of us.  However, salvation does not begin with redemption. Redemption requires penance.  But penance is only possible after one repents his or her sins.  In order to repent, one must recognize, acknowledge, ask for forgiveness, and do penance for one’s sins.

All of us are blessed in that the Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation provides us with a pathway to redemption.  But getting on that path means deliberately confessing one’s sins and seeking forgiveness.

The Act of Contrition summarizes the elements of this Sacrament.

My God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.

In this prayer, one accepts Christ’s command to go forth and sin no more.

However, it again comes back to recognizing sin when preparing for confession.  A mob is not going to drag us into a street and tell us what sins we have committed.  Each of us must each examine our own consciences and do it deeply.

We must acknowledge our sins and remember that we must recognize sins based on scripture and the guidance of the church.  We cannot overlook a sin based on our own wishes or current trends in modern society.  Sins are sins and nothing can change that, not even celebrity endorsement.

Examining one’s conscience is a difficult subject in itself.  Numerous articles are available discussing this topic.  Here are three from Catholic Stand:

An Examination of Conscience for Lent
An Ignatian Style Examination of Conscience
How to Conduct a Daily Examination of Conscience

Risks in Discussing Morality in this Modern World

Circling back to the beginning, given time, morality and the pathway to redemption can be shared with others if they are seeking truth and the one True Faith.  However, there is a risk.

In our modern world, mobs do not drag people into the street when they are found to have committed adultery.  Ironically, it seems like an individual is more likely to be dragged into the street for saying adultery is wrong.  A person may be also be digitally stoned on twitter for recognizing that homosexual behavior is a sin.  And someone’s place of worship may be vandalized for the crime of wanting unborn children to live a full life.

Be that as it may, sins are sins even if the one pointing them out is a sinner.