What Are We Willing to Forfeit For the Sake of Surprise?

“A lie consists in speaking a falsehood with the intention of deceiving.” The Lord denounces lying as the work of the devil:  ‘You are of your father the devil, …. There is no truth in him.  When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.’ “  CCC #2482

“Lying is the most direct offense against the truth.  To lie is to speak or act against the truth in order to lead someone into error.”  CCC #2483 (In other words to make them believe that which is not true.)

“The gravity of a lie is measured against the nature of the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims.  If a lie in itself only constitutes a venial sin, it becomes mortal when it does grave injury to the virtues of justice and charity.”  CCC #2484 (This tells us that a lie told deliberately is a sin.  It may not be a serious sin, but it is a sin.)