What are we turning from (and toward) in Lent?

These days during Lent we focus on the ways in which we need to turn away from sin. But what exactly is sin anyway? We might say we know it when we see it, for sure. But it might be helpful to propose a working “definition” of it in order to help our reflection together.

Let me suggest that sin is nothing more (and nothing less) than the disruption or breaking of relationship with God. It can be particular in that particular actions on our part can harm or break off to varying degrees, our relationship with God. Or sin can be more fundamental or pervasive in that ongoing attitudes or dispositions of selfishness or desires for isolation from God can rightly be called “sin”.

Recall that in the mass, we pray in the Gloria, “Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin (singular) of the world”. But we also pray at the Agnus Dei, “Lamb of God, you take away the sins (plural) of the world”.

We are conscious every time we celebrate the liturgy that this ruptured relationship between God and us is one characterized by both the particularity of our individual sins, but also by the generality of our collective condition in humanity which is in a state of “sin” broadly understood. Consequently, we need saving as individuals, but we also need saving together. We believe that God wishes to oblige us on both accounts.