The "Four Sins Crying to Heaven for Vengeance" are serious offenses in Catholic moral theology, derived from interpretations of Scripture, particularly Genesis and other biblical texts. These sins are believed to be so grave that they call out for divine retribution:
Willful Murder: This includes intentional killing, unjustified homicide, or abortion. It is based on Genesis 4:10, where God says to Cain after he murdered Abel, "The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground."
The Sin of Sodom: This refers to grave sins of sexual immorality and perversion, exemplified by the city of Sodom and its destruction in Genesis 18-19. It includes homosexual acts and other forms of sexual depravity.
Oppression of the Poor: This encompasses any unjust treatment or exploitation of the poor, vulnerable, or marginalized in society. It is drawn from Exodus 2:23, where God hears the cry of the oppressed Israelites in Egypt.
Defrauding Laborers of Their Wages: This involves withholding or unjustly reducing wages or benefits owed to workers. It is condemned in passages like James 5:4, which states, "Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts."
These sins are considered particularly serious because they directly violate human dignity, God's moral order, and the sanctity of life. They are seen as demanding God's justice and mercy due to their harmful impact on individuals and society. The Catholic Church teaches that these sins, if unrepented, sever the soul from God's grace and require sincere repentance and reconciliation.
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