What is the Sin of Presumption?

What is the sin of presumption? Presuming that you don't know what it is, I'll explain what it is and how it can harm your spiritual life.

Presumption is basically counting on forgiveness from God even when you aren't sorry, or plan on "being sorry" later. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, "2092  There are two kinds of presumption.Either man presumes upon his own capacities, (hoping to be able to save himself without help from on high), or he presumes upon God’s almighty power or his mercy (hoping to obtain his forgiveness without conversion and glory without merit)." 

The first kind of presumption, relying on oneself for salvation, is definitely "cruising for a bruising" and will end with you going down in flames spiritually before long. I want to talk about the second one because it is easier to fall into and equally dangerous. 

A good example of the second type of presumption would be consciously committing a mortal sin and justifying it by saying, "I'll just go to confession later." This is easy to do, and something that I have done before even without realizing it. However, it is very dangerous to the spiritual life. For instance, what if someone died in a car crash before they could make it to confession and "be sorry?" Not only is there this risk, but presumption misuses God's mercy. How would you like it if someone broke your laptop but told you, "It's ok, I'll just ask you to forgive me after I break it." Rather, if someone sins, there should be immediate repentance. 

An important distinction to make though, is if someone is truly sorry. The church teaches that if someone dies with mortal sin before reaching confession, they are forgiven because they were truly repentant. 

Some of the greatest saints even struggled with presumption. One of St. Augustine's quotes from his teenage years is, "Grant me chastity and continence Lord, but not yet." This is an example of hoping to be forgiven, but at the same time not wanting to let go of the sin and counting on God's future mercy. 

While keeping this in mind, we must never doubt the infinite mercy of God. As long as we are sincerely repentant and don't play games with God's mercy, he will always forgive us. Even if we intentionally break someone's laptop.

Sources:
Catechism of the Catholic Church

New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia

Is 'Santa Claus' a Pseudonym?

     Santa Claus, Pere Noel, Father Christmas, Sinterklaas, Kris Kringle, and Jolly Old Saint Nick are all names for the man who drives a magic sleigh, has a sack full of toys, and a stomach ‘like a bowl full of jelly.’  Children wait all year for this mysterious yet beloved man to appear with the presents on Christmas Eve, yet not many children or adults know much about him except that he's the most important resident in the North Pole and has elves who help him.  So where did Jolly Old Saint Nicholas come from?

     St. Nicholas was a bishop who lived in what is now known as Turkey during the 4th century.  At age nine he became an orphan, and this was just the beginning of his difficult life.  When he was older he studied philosophy and Christian doctrine, and was known as a candid troublemaker.  Roman Emperor Diocletian, who was not a fan of the Christians at all, wanted Nicholas to stop preaching Christianity.  He had Nicholas arrested and jailed twice. (Yes, ‘Santa’ has a criminal record.)  St. Nicholas eventually became the Bishop of Myra, and was known for his good will and red bishop’s robe.

      The legend of Santa Claus comes from a traditional story of St. Nicholas.  Generous Bishop Nicholas helped his poor neighbor to pay for his daughters' weddings by sneaking to their house in the middle of the night and dropping a handful of coins through the open window.  It was enough money for the eldest daughter to be married, and the Bishop would duplicate this act again for each daughter.  From this story of St. Nicholas the legend of Santa Claus was born, and it has grown into the tales we know today, full of stockings, chimneys, presents and all that Christmas stuff.  

      During the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, Catholic St. Nicholas and tales of his adventures were frowned upon.  In the Netherlands he was renamed ‘Sinterklaas’ and stories of a kindly man who wore red robes, had elfin assistants and traveled from house to house delivering presents for children emerged.  After Dutch immigrants came to the United States, ‘Sinterklaas’ evolved into the ‘Santa Claus’ we know today.

      The true story of St. Nicholas is full of suffering, simplicity, humility and generosity, as is the story of Jesus’ nativity.  Both young and old focus on Santa Claus during the Christmas season but they forget that Jesus’ birth is what we are celebrating.  It is saddening that the story of God becoming a human is not good enough for some, though it is intriguing, beautiful and heroic.  Instead, they turn to a man with a sack full of toys and cheeks like roses and a nose like a cherry to provide their Christmas joy.  As Christmas draws near, everyone must decide who the real reason for the Christmas season really is: Jolly Old Saint Nick or Jesus Christ?

         Watch this video for more history of St. Nicholas, whose feast day is celebrated on December 6th.

What is Advent again?

            Since October, stores have been showing the signs of a modern Christmas.  "Sales of the Season" abound hoping to entice holiday shoppers into purchasing gifts and accumulating debt; Christmas music plays through the speaker system on constant repeat, effectively eliminating any Christmas cheer (and sanity) that shoppers might have had; Gift-Wrapping stations are scattered throughout shopping malls for those not skilled in the ancient art of origami.

            The little period before Christmas though, Advent, is often overlooked and seen simply as the time to buy the gifts, prepare for Christmas parties, and find at least one radio station that does not have Christmas music 24/7.  But Advent is far too important and valuable to be skipped over.  As defined by the Google dictionary, an advent is "the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event."  For Christian denominations celebrating Advent, this arrival of a "notable person" is the coming of Jesus Christ Himself!

            The purpose of Advent is to prepare our hearts to receive Christ Incarnate (Latin for "be made flesh").  Christ, the Lord and God of the Universe, will walk among humans, talk with them, and be with them in actual human flesh.  Imagine how incredible that would seem to the Jewish people awaiting the birth of the Messiah!  Imagine how incredible, striking, and compelling it should be to us!

            Is it possible to have family (and Christ) over for Christmas and only start preparing the night before?  No.  You buy the turkey at least a week early so it can sit in the fridge to thaw before you can even cook it.  But of course, you cannot just have turkey.  You make sure that there is enough pasta salad, fruit salad, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, bread, pie, cookies, treats, rice dressing, sweet potatoes, corn, green bean casserole, veggies, fruit, and cooked carrots for everyone.  But of course, you cannot just have food.  The construction company is called to build an addition onto your home to hold all the relatives from the woodwork.  Then, your home is vigorously scrubbed and cleaned because you must not let anyone see what your house really looks like.  But then, because it is Christmas, you cannot just let people visit and enjoy each other's company.  You buy gifts and make sure that not one person, "not even a mouse" (to quote the story that you read to the little children to carry on tradition), is left out.

            And yet, for the birth of Jesus Christ, God Incarnate, Emmanuel, a Christmas Mass or Service the night before, or even the day of, is enough preparation.  The above things are important and definitely contribute to the joys of the holiday season.  However, it is absolutely essential for Christians to make proper use of the Advent season.  Slow down, breathe, and pray (Click here to find out 50 Ways to Talk to God).  Prepare for the coming of the King!  Where will Christ dwell if He cannot fit inside your heart?

Watch this video by Fr. Robert Barron for more information on what Advent is all about!