Posted by
KenUSA on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 11:10:03 PM
The word "sin" is an ancient archery term that means simply to "miss the mark"
A novice archer, however much he may desire to hit the target, is unlikely to score a bull's eye the first time out. All sorts of praise can be heaped on him for the attempt. He may have even demonstrated an ability that is rare in beginners. He may even show enough promise to warrant a celebration of sorts for his efforts. These facts do not alter the result. He missed the mark. He sinned.
Modern connotation, personal prejudice and much misunderstanding have changed what many of us think the word "sin" means. It means what it means. To miss the mark.
In our earthly existence, the "mark" is to dwell in heaven with our Creator. This is possible only when we align our will with God's. This is a problem for us.
We are novices. It is unlikely that we will score a bull's eye the first time out. We should celebrate our honest attempts. We can and should learn from them all.
To sin while making an honest attempt to live according to God's will is a venial sin. So it is safe to say that venial sins are, as a rule, educational. Repeated venial sin as a result of a stubborn refusal to take direction or a willful defiance of authority can and often does become mortal sin.
Mortal sin, although much can be learned from it, is not, at it's core, educational. It's punitive. It blocks the sunlight of the Spirit, causes a sense of shame and breeds defiance. It very often hurts others. Since our pride makes it hard to own up to small mistakes, it's naturally even harder to own up to big ones. Isolation is a likely result.
Volumes have been written on this topic and this is only a rudimentary and therefore grossly incomplete treatment of it. Nevertheless, this is a healthy starting point.