The Stain of Sin

Sin is called, by metaphor, “a stain on the soul.” A stain is a blot or ugly mark which destroys what is bright and comely. A stain is caused by contact with soiling and unsuitable things. Sin dims or blots out the brightness of perfected human nature; it blots out the wisdom and grace of God inthe soul. It is therefore a stain upon the soul. We speak here of grave sin, not of the actual sin which is called venial.

A stain remains after the contact that caused it has ceased. So also the stain of serious sin remains in the soul afterthe act of sin has been completed. This stain is not removed except by a new act of returning by recovered grace to the unsmirchedbeauty of the soul.