Jesus’ innocence reveals that suffering is not sin itself. Sin is the monster in the room; suffering is our personal encounter with it. Jesus’ innocent suffering reveals the terrible reality of every sin, mortal or venial. Reflecting on His Passion, we see that our own sins—alongside those of the chief priests and Romans—crucified Him. As our sins accumulate, they can become habitual and structural within organizations. This is why we speak of “sinful social structures.” Pope John Paul II recognized this term but emphasized that every sin is personal. Therefore, speaking of “sinful social structures” is strictly metaphorical.
