Sin: The Individual Portrait

We have begun to consider what sin looks like in the big picture. But that’s not enough. Sooner or later, I must take that slow and thoughtful look at my own life and identify where, in that life, God’s love is disrupted, ignored, or pushed aside.

Here are a few questions to help us with this difficult—and sometimes painful—task:

• Where is the pain in my life? What is causing it? At what point was love disrupted and some lesser thing allowed to be central? (Please note: pain may come from my own actions/thoughts, but often it comes from sources I do not control—systems, people, circumstances.)
• Whom have I hurt, and how did that happen?
• What patterns in my thoughts tend to lead to behavior that is not loving?
• What patterns in my behavior tend to make my wounds deeper and my life harder?
• Where am I not free but somehow trapped or held back or stuck in unhealthy patterns?
• At what points am I saying no to God’s efforts to love me?

We welcome your comments. However, please remember that this is a public site, and that some deeper issues of sin and pain may be better shared with a spiritual director or counselor.

This post is a part of An Ignatian Prayer Adventure, Week 3.