A question about mortal sin...

[liquid1187]

If you commit a sin that is grave but only after the fact, you, after contemplating on it you realize that that the sin commited was probably a grave matter are you obligated to make reparation under penalty of mortal sin?

I realize that you need full knowledge and the full will to commit the mortal sin but if you realize what you said or did was gravely wrong after the fact are you obligated to take it back or make reparation, otherwise being accountable for still have commited mortal sin.

I hope I am making some kind of sense. I am very scrupulous so mabye I am asking a silly question but your help would be appreciated

 

[The_Otaku]

If you commit a sin that is grave but only after the fact, you, after contemplating on it you realize that that the sin commited was probably a grave matter are you obligated to make reparation under penalty of mortal sin?

I realize that you need full knowledge and the full will to commit the mortal sin but if you realize what you said or did was gravely wrong after the fact are you obligated to take it back or make reparation, otherwise being accountable for still have commited mortal sin.

I hope I am making some kind of sense. I am very scrupulous so mabye I am asking a silly question but your help would be appreciated

I’m scrupulous too, so I know where you’re coming from and you don’t have to apologize.

The answer is no.

You would have had to know and be assured of yourself IN THAT MOMENT that it was a mortal sin or grave matter for it to be applied as a mortal sin in confession. If you only found out or came to the conclusion after deep thought and/or someone informed you it was a mortal sin after the fact, as you say, then it was a venial sin for you at the time you committed it and a venial sin in confession (which you should still confess anyways).

 

[Pug]

I just realized you used the word “reparation” two times and talked about “taking it back”. Are you possibly talking about restitution, like returning stolen money or repairing a reputation or apologizing? If so, are you asking about failure to make restitution for something that wasn’t a mortal sin for you, but it still had consequences for someone? Even if something was a venial sin, we are still obliged to make restitution. You should talk to your confessor about what constitutes appropriate restitution for whatever your particular case happens to entail. There are lots of variables in those types of situations.

 

[liquid1187]

This is not really my situation but as a good example of what I mean of when I say reparation…Like for instance you call someone a name and then think “oh that was probably a grave sin” are you obligated to say something like “im sorry I didnt really mean that” or something similar? And if you do not then would be a mortal sin?

 

[StCsDavid]

I would say it is normally wise to make reparation anytime you injure someone whether it was a mortal sin or not.

Repentance and sacramental confession is the ordinary way to deal with mortal sin. Whether you repair the damage is a seperate issue. I could see an instance where it would be a mortal sin not to repair it, but that would be apart from the sin that caused the damage in the first place. For example, you testify falsely in court and an innocent man goes to jail. You realize the error of your ways and you go to confession. The bearing false witness sin has been forgiven, but now you have another reality to deal with in that you know an innocent man is in jail and you have the information to get him out. Instead of going to the authorities, you keep silent. That would be a mortal sin.

 

[Pug]

This is not really my situation but as a good example of what I mean of when I say reparation…Like for instance you call someone a name and then think “oh that was probably a grave sin” are you obligated to say something like “im sorry I didnt really mean that” or something similar? And if you do not then would be a mortal sin?

Whether it is mortal or not probably depends on the damage that has been done and to what extent you could repair it (and the usual three conditions for mortal sin) . Yes, you ought to apologize if you call someone a name. An apology is probably the best thing you can offer in reparation for the typical name-calling. But the duty to offer the apology could be mitigated by various circumstances. Do not do something that would cause further problems, of course. Or, it could be nearly impossible if you are now in a different country from the person or have conflicting duties.