Editing Fast Fridays: 30 Minutes for God (section)

== Friday, Aug 23: Avoiding Sin ==
Last Friday we defined sin as "separation from God."  Given so, then avoidance of sin requires proximity with God.

Jesus teaches us how to avoid sin:

=== The "occasion of sin" ===
In the Beatitudes, Jesus advises that we avoid sin by distancing ourselves from it. In what seems harsh advice, in [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5?29 Mt 5:29-30], he says,<blockquote>"If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna.

“And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.”</blockquote>The "occasion of sin" is that moment, location, situation, or disposition

=== Prayer ===
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus tells the sleeping Peter, John and James, [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/14?38 Mk 14:38]:<blockquote>"Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."</blockquote>We may also discuss the different types and terminologies of sin (venial, grave, mortal, etc.)
----We didn't get into the types of sin, and instead focused on the context of Jesus' Garden prayer, and how he repeated it to the Apostles three times. He knows our concupiscence and reminds us always to return to him.  

We also discussed how our world removes standards in order to avoid judgment, and in doing so separates itself more and more from God. Dave brought up the interesting concept of "cultural training," through which sin is embed in society, and which he had to endure in his comparny. Therein is a next topic: how do we live faithfully in a sinful world? 

Liz reminded us of the Our Father prayer's ending petition to God to "lead us not into temptation but preserve us from evil."