A Retreat for Everyone – The Denial of Sin (5/15)

Bishop Fulton Sheen begins by observing the modern denial of sin, arguing that society increasingly dismisses the concept of sin in favor of psychological explanations and rationalizations. He critiques the tendency to replace repentance with therapy, portraying guilt as a sickness rather than a moral failure. Using examples from literature, like Macbeth, Sheen illustrates how unacknowledged guilt manifests in unhealthy ways. He emphasizes that sin is not merely the breaking of a law but a betrayal of a personal relationship with God, comparable to the heartbreak of a child told they are unloved by their parent.

Sheen reflects on the biblical theme that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin. He traces this principle from the Old Testament—such as God clothing Adam and Eve with animal skins, the Passover lamb’s blood protecting the Israelites, and the sacrifices of Abraham and Moses—to its fulfillment in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. This shedding of blood is central to forgiveness because it reflects the gravity of sin and the depth of God’s love. Sheen contrasts the blood of sacrifices in the Old Testament with Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, which opens the Holy of Holies, symbolized by the tearing of the Temple veil at His death.

Concluding, Sheen warns of the dangers of denying sin, calling it the “unforgivable sin” because it closes the heart to forgiveness and grace. He connects this denial to societal issues like violence and moral decay, as humanity instinctively recognizes the cost of sin but misdirects its response. For Sheen, the remedy lies in invoking the blood of Christ through the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and confession, which allow the faithful to experience God’s mercy and redemption. Without acknowledging sin, humanity cannot fully encounter Christ as Savior, and Sheen implores the faithful to embrace the reality of sin and the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice.