Of Sin

Of Sin

Sin is something I am eminently qualified to speak about. I went to every lecture in college about sin, and I diligently did my homework.

But the sinning did not magically stop once I put on a clerical collar. Relentlessly over the years, I have become the master sinner. Once I thought I had actually invented new ways to fall from grace. However, it transpires that my ego was overinflated (again) and that all the really clever ways of sinning had already been thought of and honed to an art form.

So here’s some of the things I have learnt about sin.

First, we are tempted to sin not with the mundane, routine, dull and boring things. No, we are tempted by sparkly and attractive-looking things. Things that are luscious to the eye and the senses.

Secondly, you sin before you even realise it’s what you are doing. Rarely do you hear the still small voice whispering ‘Do you really think it’s a good idea to have that second chocolate brownie?’ In my vast and wide-reaching experience, I’ve already scoffed it down before I have thought of what numbers might appear on the scales in the morning.

Finally, sin promises you everything but can only deliver disappointment. To push the parable of the second chocolate brownie beyond its logical parameters, the second chocolate brownie promises you a marvellous mouthfeel and taste sensation, even better than the first brownie. You might even believe that it has all the 5 basic food groups: sugar, butter, chocolate, fat and flour. You might be seduced into thinking that such a little chocolate brownie could never do much harm.

Ultimately, sin, no matter which form it presents itself, can only deliver disappointment. It just takes a lifetime to relearn this.