WHAT IS SIN EXACTLY?

Remember a sin is not an accident or a mistake.  A sin is when we hurt our relationship with God our loving Father by choosing to do wrong or choosing not to do a good thing we ought to.

What do you think?  Is the following an accident, mistake or sin?

1. You study hard for a math test, but when you get it back you notice you got some answers wrong.  Mistake

2. You reach across the table to pass your brother/sister the milk. You bump your own glass full of milk while you are reaching. Now there is milk all over the table.  Accident.

3. Your parents ask if you cleaned your room as you run out the door to play with a friend.  You say "yes I did" while you think (oh I'll just clean in when I get home).  Sin (lying specifically)

4. You are at recess and you notice some classmates making fun of another student who isn't considered "cool".  You choose to do nothing but watch.  Sin (of omission - not doing what you ought to do in Christian charity.)

5. What could you have done different in example 3 and 4? Would it be hard to do those things?  Would you be proud of yourself even if it was hard?

FEELINGS VS SINS:

A feeling is not the same thing as a sin. A feeling might give us information about our actions and choices - like when we do something good (we feel proud) or something bad (we feel guilty) but sometimes our feelings get mixed up.  We feel good about doing something wrong or guilty over something like a mistake - even if it is not our fault.  

Sometimes we get angry. Feeling angry is not a sin... hitting our brother or sister because we feel angry is a sin.  We cannot sin "by accident".  When you do the examination of conscience - remember, we are confessing our sins, not our feelings.  Our feelings are a part of who we are as humans.  God made them and they are good.  It is our choices and actions that are either good or bad a virtue or a sin.  For a choice to be sinful we need to know that we are choosing to do wrong.  Again - because we can't sin by accident.

AN EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE FOR KIDS:

1 : Read the following to help you examine your conscience.
2 : Pray to the Holy Spirit and ask him to help you make a good confession.
3. Write down your sins if it helps (only you needs to see what you have written).  Do this in a quiet space where it is easy for you to pray.

• Do I always pay attention at mass?
• Do I make it difficult for Mom or Dad to take me to church on Sundays? (In non pandemic times)
• Do I say a prayer every day?
• Have I ever used God, Jesus or the Saints names in a disrespectful or irreverant way? 
• Do I say bad or hurtful things to my mother or father?
• Have I ever disobeyed my parents when they asked me to do something?
• Do I remember to say thank you?
• Am I holding a grudge against anyone?
• Do I listen to my teacher?  Do I follow my teacher's instructions?
• Do I do my chores?
• Does mom or dad ever have to ask me more than once to do something I don’t feel like doing?
• Do I do my homework?
• Have I ever cheated on a test?
• Have I ever hurt other people's feelings by calling them hurtful names?
• Did I start arguing with my brothers and sisters at home? At school?
• Did I blame others for what I do?
• Have I intentionally hurt someone’s feelings?
• Do I hit people when I get angry?
• Have I cheated or been unfair in games?
• Have I cheated on a test or copied someone else’s work?
• Do I refuse to play with someone for no good reason?
• Did I lie to my parents? My teachers? My friends?
• Did I take something that didn't belong to me?