Let me tell you a story when I was small. My little sister once had a tin can filled with coins. For small girls like us that time, the tin can meant a whole lot; better yet, a treasure, which at the end of the year, we open and with the coins buy all the goodies we like. I also had my own tin can. I recall that one day (I do not remember where my tin can was at that time or maybe it was already empty!), I took an interest at my little sister’s tin can! So, there I was successful in convincing and tricking her to buy all the goodies. Of course, for some good turn of events, my father learned about it and boy, was he mad at me for what I have done. I had my share of admonition and from then on, I learned my lesson pretty well. I never tricked my little sister ever again!

 

When I was growing up and thought about it, I knew I made a big mistake. In James 1:13-15 it says, “No one, when tempted, should say, ‘This temptation comes from God.’ God is never tempted and He can never tempt anyone. Instead, each of us is lured and enticed by our own evil desire. Once this desire was conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when fully grown, gives birth to death.”

 

The commentary of the Christian Community Bible says that most people are secretly resentful toward God and do not miss an opportunity to blame Him for their own mistakes. Are we the kind of people who keep blaming others or God for the things we did wrong. Or can we honestly say, “I’m sorry Lord God, I made a mistake and have sinned against You. Help me not to sin again”? Do we take the time to be mindful of the evil desires we have so that we can ask God to help us do away with them? Or do we succumb to these desires until sin is given birth and when fully grown, brings death?

 

In the Catholic Catechism, there is another kind of sin, which is the actual sin, aside from the original sin. Actual sin is an offense against our loving God, committed by any willful thought, desire, word, action or omission forbidden by the law of God. Under which are the mortal sin and the venial sin. Mortal sin is a grievous offense against our loving God, committed when one consciously and freely, for whatever reason, chooses something seriously against God’s law. On the other hand, a venial sin is a less serious offense against our loving God. It does not deprive the soul of sanctifying grace and it can be pardoned even without sacramental confession.

 

Either way, now I know I have sinned against God during that time when I freely tricked my little sister in taking the money from her tin can! It was a deception, a willful thought or desire no matter how small or irrelevant it might seem at that time. It was an offense against our loving God. I know that God in His goodness has forgiven me then as I asked Him to help me not to do it again.

 

Now, I continue to ask Him to help me as I struggle with the bigger and more complicated sins that I commit as I continue my journey heavenward. Thank you Lord God for your mercy and forgiveness!

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