What Is Sin? - Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon

Summary

This reflection explores the profound theological dynamics of sin, redemption, and the Kingdom of God. It highlights how sin leads to alienation from God, triggering shame and self-awareness. The narrative reveals the cycle of blame and self-consciousness that affects human relationships and societal behavior. In contrast, Jesus’ mission is portrayed as one of forgiveness, compassion, and the overthrow of the shame-and-blame cycle. By casting out Satan, the accuser, Jesus ushers in a new Kingdom, offering healing and reconciliation. This sermon invites believers to embrace Christ's love and live within His transformative Kingdom of forgiveness.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sin leads to alienation from God, as seen in Genesis 3 when Adam and Eve hide from God after eating the forbidden fruit.
• 😀 The Bible reveals how sin awakens self-consciousness, causing shame and a desire to hide or cover up one's flaws.
• 😀 The best moments in life happen when we are least aware of ourselves, lost in beauty or meaningful experiences, which contrasts with the misery of self-awareness caused by sin.
• 😀 Augustine’s definition of sin, 'Curvatus in se,' highlights how being caved in on oneself leads to misery and separation from others.
• 😀 The shame and blame cycle is a direct result of alienation from God and is a fundamental dynamic of human sin and misery.
• 😀 In modern society, the shame-and-blame game manifests in both personal and collective levels, especially in online spaces where people constantly blame and shame others.
• 😀 The 'serpent' in Genesis represents Satan, the accuser, who fuels the shame-and-blame cycle by pointing fingers at others and creating division.
• 😀 Jesus came to break the shame-and-blame cycle by offering forgiveness, inclusion, and compassion, turning the focus from blame to grace.
• 😀 The Gospel of Mark portrays Jesus as acting outside the shame-and-blame game, with his mission being to cast out Satan and establish a new kingdom based on love and forgiveness.
• 😀 Jesus’ actions and teachings show that the Kingdom of God stands in direct opposition to the Kingdom of sin, which is dominated by alienation, shame, and blame.
• 😀 The call of the Gospel is to accept Christ’s kingship and live in the new Kingdom of love, compassion, and forgiveness, rejecting the old cycles of sin.

Q & A

What is the significance of the phrase 'Where are you?' in Genesis 3, according to the script?

The phrase 'Where are you?' is not about God losing sight of Adam but about signaling the alienation caused by sin. It highlights the separation between humanity and God, as sin leads to a sense of estrangement from the Creator.

How does the speaker explain the concept of self-consciousness and its relationship to misery?

The speaker connects self-consciousness to misery by referencing Jordan Peterson’s idea that self-awareness leads to unhappiness. The speaker draws on Augustine’s definition of sin, *curvatus in se*, to explain that being inwardly focused on oneself leads to misery, as it creates a barrier to true joy.

Why does the speaker believe that the best moments in life are when we are least aware of ourselves?

The speaker argues that the happiest moments occur when we are lost in something larger than ourselves—whether a project, nature, or a friendship—because these experiences help us forget self-consciousness, which is tied to misery and shame.

What role does shame play in the biblical account of the fall, according to the script?

Shame in the biblical account arises from Adam's newfound self-awareness after the fall. His shame causes him to hide from God, illustrating how sin creates a sense of vulnerability and alienation that did not exist before.

What does the speaker mean by the 'shame-and-blame game'?

The 'shame-and-blame game' refers to the psychological pattern where, after experiencing shame, individuals project their discomfort onto others by blaming them. This dynamic, triggered by alienation from God, perpetuates conflict and misery.

How does the speaker relate the concept of the 'shame-and-blame game' to modern society?

The speaker connects the 'shame-and-blame game' to modern society by pointing out how online spaces often become arenas for blaming and shaming others, which reflects the same dynamics that began with original sin in Genesis.

Who does the speaker identify as the ultimate source of the 'shame-and-blame game'?

The speaker identifies Satan, or 'the accuser,' as the ultimate source of the shame-and-blame game. Satan's role is to accuse and blame, perpetuating alienation, shame, and conflict in human relationships.

What does the speaker say about Jesus' mission in relation to the dynamics of sin?

The speaker states that Jesus’ mission is to cast out Satan, the source of the sin dynamics, and to reverse the shame-and-blame game. Instead of condemning, Jesus invites, forgives, and creates a new kingdom based on love, compassion, and inclusion.

How does the speaker interpret the Gospel passage about Jesus being called 'out of his mind'?

The speaker interprets this passage as pointing out that Jesus’ actions seem irrational to those who are trapped in the shame-and-blame game. Jesus, being outside the dysfunction of sin, operates according to a different logic—one of forgiveness, inclusion, and love.

What does the speaker mean by Jesus' establishment of a 'new kingdom'?

The speaker explains that Jesus' new kingdom is one of love, forgiveness, and compassion, which stands in contrast to the old world dominated by alienation, shame, and blame. Jesus offers a way out of the dysfunction of sin and invites people to live in this new kingdom.