Dear Communion of Saints: why can't I just sin already?

An occasional series.

Dear Communion of Saints,
I don’t know why you all get so hung up on this sin stuff. I know I make mistakes because I’m human, after all. It’s not like I’m a bad person. And didn’t God create me free to be me? That sounds like divine license to me! Besides, I’m not sure I could like a God who doesn’t like ME. I can’t understand why you people, and my parents, can’t just chill.
--Good Enough



St. Alphonsus Ligouri responds:

My dear son in Christ Jesus,

I have good news, and bad news, and good news.

The good news is that I do hold, as does Holy Mother Church, that all people are called to holiness and the pinnacle of love with the Living God. And that God created you good and God delights in your existence. God created you for truth, love, and beauty.

The bad news is that before I became a priest and founded the Redemptorist order, I was a lawyer. And I know my way around a weak defense. As follows--

1) Mistakes are accidents. Sins are freely chosen acts. Mistakes are part of the limitations of human nature. Sins are a choice, measured and committed with knowledge of the wrong. You could have done otherwise.

2) You are indeed free to be you. Freedom was a great gift given you by God. But if you want to honor the Giver of all good gifts, then you will use that freedom well. Just because God allows sin doesn’t mean that God wants it. License implies desire. God does not give license to sin.

3) God does like you. A lot. Loves, even. More than you can fathom (obviously). But
honestly, it isn’t your job to like God. You are called to love God—and loving God results in your deepest freedom, freedom from sin, addiction, poor excuses and argument, etc., and freedom for happiness and love.

That was the good news and bad news. The second good news? The gospel, of course. My son, read Luke 15: 11-32. You may find it relevant. Please know I will be praying for you through the Blessed Mother. You may want to try a Memorare yourself.

May you find supernatural “chill” this day!

In Christ’s love,
St. Alphonsus