LESSON SIXTH
ON SIN AND ITS KINDS
Q. Is original sin the only kind of sin?
A. Original sin is not the only kind of sin; there is another kind of sin, which we commit ourselves, called actual sin.
One of the Exceptions
No man is without sin. Many individuals in the pride of their hearts imagine themselves free from sin, because they do not steal, or murder, or commit any crime for which society would condemn them. Once, in the presence of others, a gentleman said to the parish priest: ‘‘ I never go to confession. Father; I really have no sins to confess.” ‘‘Since you never commit sin, you belong to the exceptions,” the father replied. “To what exceptions do I belong? Do you count me with the saints? ” the man inquired. He left the priest no peace until told what was meant, but first he had to give his word of honor that he would not take offense at the answer. Then the priest said: “ I will tell you who are the people who never sin: children who have not attained the age of reason, and idiots, or madmen who have lost their reason.” After this nothing more was said on religious topics. Seeing that man is as frail spiritually as he is corporally, no one can possibly venture to assert that he is without sin.
