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• Obstruction to the Kingdom of God


  Evil obstructs the coming of Christ's kingdom
• The dark forces are active in the world, almost to the point of ruling it
• People have to face the reality of sin
• Sin


  An utterance, a deed, or a desire contrary to the eternal law
• Sin is against the plan and will of God
• Sin can be understood as

  • Refusing to follow our own conscience's call toward the good
  • Rejecting God, our Creator and Lord, and our own true selves and others by turning away from God, our true end
  • Breaking God's loving covenant with us, shown forth in Jesus Christ, dying and rising for our sake
• Sins are a product of man's freedom
• Given the capacity to choose, people have the power to choose not only the good but also evil
• People have to take sin seriously and reflect deeply
• Reasons to reflect deeply on sin

  • Truly appreciate God's everlasting merciful love
  • Correct the common distorted ideas of God, the Church, conscience, law, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation