Fear and Sin

The topic of the online retreat the past few weeks has been sin. Personal sin, patterns of sin, sin in the world in general, sin, sin and more sin. I think next week we turn the corner from sin to more of a focus on mercy, but still - while the focus on sin is not all that much fun, it sure has been illuminating.

As I reflected on my own sinfulness - which I won't get into much detail because this isn't a confessional, after all - I kept coming back to a common root of fear. For me, the pattern of sin seems to start with fear. Fear of doing the wrong thing, which leads to inaction. Fear of what will happen if I do the right thing. Fear of consequences, fear of success, fear of failure, fear of not being accepted, and so on - that fear seems to be the trigger, the catalyst for sin in my life.

My mind comes back to reflect on three words of Jesus: Be not afraid. Instead, be courageous, compassionate, selfless, merciful, and loving. Fear has little chance to take root if my heart is focused on these things.

Comments

[Mark Mossa, SJ]

Fear IS the mind-killer!

I just blogged on the Exercises and fear of change.

Maybe there's something in the air?

[susan]

Fear. That's always been a big one for me. Still is sometimes, but I have this little mantra that often pulls me out of the spiral and back to the right path .... "Fear is the opposite of trust. So trust, stupid."

Ok, not a good mantra (with calling myself stupid and all!). But it does help. Reminds me to trust in God. Which by the way my cell phone tells me every time I turn it on. (Trust in God, not So trust stupid).

[Kevin Powell]

"Be not afraid." Like most of Jesus' sayings, that's easier said than done.

One quote that I've always appreciated is by an Anglican priest George Ross, who said that "Fear is the furnace where faith is forged."

I think there's real truth in that.

kgp

[crystal]

Fear has always been a factor my choices. When I was a kid, my school classroom had a motto above the door from FDR's first Inaugural Address ... the only thing we have to fear is fear itself :-)

[Hector]

Thanks Steve! i had not made this connection before between sin and fear. This makes sense...

[Steve Bogner]

Yes Mark - Something must have been in the air today. I enjoyed your post, too.

Catching oneself early in the spiral is a good thing, Susan. But 'stupid'!?

I like that quote, Kevin. There is a lot of truth in that.

Crystal - Thanks for that quote. Funny, I don't remember any such sayings above the door or anywhere else in my classrooms....

You are very welcome Hector - glad to provide some sense here ;)

[Jen P]

Interesting. I'd say my biggest thing is laziness and selfishness (not as sins in and of themselves, but as the root of my sins, though I realize they are also sins)...but I haven't even made the effort to do the online retreat, so I haven't spent nearly as much time thinking about it. A good reminder to go to confession and to spend time in an examination of conscience beforehand!

[Steve Bogner]

Jen - You mention an examination of conscience as being useful; you might find the daily examen of consciousness helpful; the link is in the 'Feel Like Praying?' section at the right (or just click here.

[Jon Capen]

I've a personal theory of the relationship of fear and sin. That fear is the catalyst towards the sinful act. As in the origin of sin where original man and woman bite into the forbidden fruit for fear that they might be without being like God. Rather than trusting in God they allowed fear to motivate their actions.
The theory is that actions taken to alleviate a fear (in particular the fear of being without) is the sinful act.
An example would be the person who steals as the result of fear of being without a certain posession (greed).
Another example is abortion. Where the action of abortion is committed in a desire to alleviate a certain fear (fear of accoutability, responsiblity, parental or peer, etc..)