From Fr. Jacek's Desk...

Dear Friends:

Today I would like to answer one of the questions I have received from you recently. A few weeks ago during my homily I mentioned “capital sins”. Some of you were not sure what I meant. On the one hand, the “capital sins” can be described as underlining causes or patterns of our sinful actions. On the other hand, they can be also described as impulses that cloud our thinking and direct our choices in destructive ways. What gets destroyed in a process is love/charity and the peace and joy God intended us to have. We can also say that the “capital sins,” also called “deadly sins,” are seven manifestations of “original sin” at work giving birth to all personal sins (venial and mortal sin). The origin of the name comes from Pope Saint Gregory the Great in the sixth century, who saw the various vices people practice as flowing from what he called seven heads: pride, envy, anger, sloth, avarice (greediness), gluttony and lust. The Latin word for head is caput, from which the English word capital is derived, hence we have the name: the seven capital sins.

I guess I should add a few more words of explanation about “original sin.” “Original sin” is a sin that we are born with. Sometimes it is also called the sin of Adam and Eve. It comes with human nature. As a result of it we are not perfect ?. We are flawed and have inborn tendencies that are destructive to ourselves, others and society. We can say that the effect of original sin on our lives is that our intellect is darkened and our will is weakened. As a result of it we do not always think straight and clearly, nor do we always choose wisely.

I hope that helps in greater understanding of this subject. But now it is enough talk about sin. After all, we are called to live in the state of Grace. Hence, I would like to finish this reflection with a prayer to help us to avoid sin and live in God’s grace:

Father of love and mercy, we are weak and prone to sin. Cleanse our desires, enlighten our minds and strengthen our wills that we may grow in virtue and love of You who are our One and True God. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Have a pleasant and blessed week.

Father Jacek