by Brent Kostyniuk
Sin.
Since the time of Adam and Eve, sin has been a part of the human condition, and it is always with us. Christ our Pascha, the Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, explains the consequences of our first parents’ disregard for God’s commandment: “149 The Fall of our first ancestors is the tragedy of humankind. Instead of being sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters to all, and stewards of creation, humans by their own sinful choice became slaves of evil, enemies to other people. They fell under the sway of the world. Created in the image of God, humankind failed to attain God-likeness: ‘Sin destroyed Godlikeness in humankind.’” [Leontius of Byzantium, Against Nestorius: PG 86, 1348.]
In Eastern theology, sin is seen as an illness which prevents us from seeing God clearly. It is not something which merits our condemnation, but rather something for which requires healing. That healing comes from God’s mercy and forgiveness. Thus, just prior to distribution of the Holy Eucharist, the priest prays on our behalf: “Therefore, O Master, make smooth the ways that lie before us all for our good and in accord with each one’s personal need: sail with seafarers; travel with travelers; heal the sick, O Physician of our souls and bodies.”
The Orthodox theologian, Stanley Harakas, explains how this salvation from sin comes about. “The saving work of Jesus Christ is precisely God’s answer to evil in the created reality. He is the victor over all of our enemies: death, sin, evil in its multitude of forms. With His resurrection He has overcome them in principle and substance. He now makes it possible to begin sharing in the condition where sin no longer exists.” [Orthodox Christian Beliefs, 233.]
Thus, with the resurrection, the possibility exists for us to be healed of our sinfulness. However, before we can be healed, we must first acknowledge that we are, indeed, in need of healing. “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” [Matthew 9:12.] Christ Our Pascha puts it this way. “453 To repent means to come to know and confess one’s faults, and to renounce sin.” It means we must find within us, with the help of good moral and spiritual guidance, the ability, the sense to distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil. A well-formed conscience will guide us. It is something which only humans have, making us the only creatures capable of sin. Cats cannot sin, no matter how evil we think they might be, simply because they do not have that ability to distinguish between right and wrong—even if your hand has been lacerated many times. We must understand that sin is a deliberate, willing, premeditated choice to do evil. We must also understand that the world has largely become insensitive to sin.
There remains the need to fully understand the consequences of our sin. In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis discusses sin and the One who we must face as a result of our sins.
One part of the claim tends to slip past us unnoticed because we have heard it so often that we no longer see what it amounts to. I mean the claim to forgive sins: any sins. Now unless the speaker is God, this is really so preposterous as to be comic. We can all understand how a man forgives offences against himself. You tread on my toes and I forgive you, you steal my money and I forgive you. But what should we make of a man, himself unrobbed and untrodden on, who announced that he forgave you for treading on other men’s toes and stealing other men’s money? Asinine fatuity is the kindest description we should give of his conduct. Yet this is what Jesus did. He told people that their sins were forgiven, and never waited to consult all the other people whom their sins had undoubtedly injured. He unhesitatingly behaved as if He was the party chiefly concerned, the person chiefly offended in all offences. This makes sense only if He really was the God whose laws are broken and who love is wounded in every sin.
Since the time of Adam and Eve, sin has been a part of the human condition, and its possibility is always with us.
But it isn’t. Jesus Christ, with His death and resurrection has conquered sin for all time. Through faith in Him we are transformed and may live in the expectation of eternal life.
Lord, Jesus Christ our God, may Your holy Body bring me everlasting life and Your precious Blood forgiveness of my sins. May this thanksgiving bring me joy, health and gladness. At Your awesome Second Coming make me, though a sinner, worthy to stand at the right hand of Your glory, through the intercession of Your immaculate Mother and all the saints. [Prayer after Communion]
