Embarrassed at being Catholic - mortal sin?

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Fatima_2012

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I know I realistically can be quite scrupulous, but wanted to get others’ opinions on this. While at work, I like to read the bible during lunch and will carry it to an area at work. Yesterday I had to walk past a few co-workers and sort of shielded it from view. I certainly love Jesus, and am ashamed that I can’t be bold and courageous. Would actions like this be a mortal sin? Any advice or guidance you can provide is greatly appreciated! God bless!
 
No, certainly not. A moment of perfectly-human weakness, at most.
 
MATT6:6

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward …”

There is no need to parade our religion/spirituality in public, esp. in a secular society like USA. Quite often you antagonize others who see you as a *‘Holy Joe’ *who will then make your life intolerable.

I know some people get really mad when they see Muslims prostrating themselves & praying publicly. Perhaps you are having the same effect. Matthew’s advice was good for his day and also for ours.
 
Actually, if you had displayed the Bible to the people you walked past in order to create attention for yourself, that would be close to sinful.

What you did in humility is not a sin.

Jim
 
If you don’t behave as you believe, you will end by believing as you behave.
 
Fatima_2012 said:
I know I realistically can be quite scrupulous, but wanted to get others’ opinions on this. While at work, I like to read the bible during lunch and will carry it to an area at work. Yesterday I had to walk past a few co-workers and sort of shielded it from view. I certainly love Jesus, and am ashamed that I can’t be bold and courageous. Would actions like this be a mortal sin? Any advice or guidance you can provide is greatly appreciated! God bless!
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Do you plot to hide the fact that you’re a Christian, knowing with full strength of conscience that it is wrong, and then do it anyway? (rhetorical - you needn’t answer).

Grave matter
forethought
commission
 
Its not sinful. Maybe you are afraid to put people off or maybe things like reading Bible or praying rosary is far removed from their every day lives. We should not be embarrassed to be followers of Christ at all, but that doesn’t mean that there is something wrong with it to be modest or to choose to put your Bible in a bag.
 
Jesus told us to go into our room (literally of figuratively) and pray. Sometimes it is better to do that than start trouble. Especially in the work place.
 
No it is not. I to have scrupulosity/OCD and I pray sometimes in the car or while I walking outside. If I’m saying the rosary I’ll hide the beads Incase someone sees me praying and laughs and me or thinks I am weird. I hate feeling like this because I love Jesus and my catholic faith, but like another answer said human weakness.
 
anon98328916 said:
No it is not. I to have scrupulosity/OCD and I pray sometimes in the car or while I walking outside. If I’m saying the rosary I’ll hide the beads Incase someone sees me praying and laughs and me or thinks I am weird. I hate feeling like this because I love Jesus and my catholic faith, but like another answer said human weakness.
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It is fine if you decide not to pray the rosary openly or if you want to hide the beats in your hand for the reason mentioned before.
 
Fatima_2012 said:
I know I realistically can be quite scrupulous, but wanted to get others’ opinions on this. While at work, I like to read the bible during lunch and will carry it to an area at work. Yesterday I had to walk past a few co-workers and sort of shielded it from view. I certainly love Jesus, and am ashamed that I can’t be bold and courageous. Would actions like this be a mortal sin? Any advice or guidance you can provide is greatly appreciated! God bless!
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As others have said, I agree …its not a sin. If someone asked you if you are a Christian or if you believed in Christ and you publicly denied it I would think that would be.

I used to be like that. I pray for the strength and courage of the Holy Spirit that I can be Christ’s light in the world everyday. It has seriously made a difference for me. Now I could care less what anyone thinks of me. I don’t say that in a negative way or in a self-righteous manner.

I hung a liturgical calendar in my cubicle because of the art work and it reminds me of all the HDO and saints’ feast days, etc. I’ve had people say “Oh I didn’t know you’re a Christian” “I didn’t know you’re Catholic”, and sparks conversations and questions. I’ve been able to connect with other Catholics and non-Catholic Christians at work as well as charitable discussions with non-Christians.

I’m not suggesting to flash your bible around or anything like that in a prideful manner. I hung the calendar for a functional purpose without any regard to potential criticism. But you never know who you may inspire if they do see you being devoted to Christ! 😉
 
I think this would fall under imperfections, which is neither mortal sin nor venial sin. I checked my examination of conscience, which has a nihil obstat and imprimatur. It says “embarrassment of being Catholic” right there on the page, under “Imperfections”. So it is certainly not grave matter, and not even a sin at all. God can still embolden you, as He continues His work of perfection in you.
 
Thank you all so much for the advice and answers. I truly pray for an increase in courage, not to be prideful but to be open to any moment of evangelization that God may present. I’m sure it will come with time and growing with Jesus and His Mother as my guides. Thank you all for taking the time to answer. God Bless!
 
👍

MommaMaree, would you share the name of this Examination of Conscience, publisher, etc?
mommamaree said:
I think this would fall under imperfections, which is neither mortal sin nor venial sin. I checked my examination of conscience, which has a nihil obstat and imprimatur. It says “embarrassment of being Catholic” right there on the page, under “Imperfections”. So it is certainly not grave matter, and not even a sin at all. God can still embolden you, as He continues His work of perfection in you.
Click to expand...
 
Incidentally, isn’t feeling as if you’re embarrassed about being Catholic something that could always be brought up in confession, regardless of the level of sin of any specific example of it?

My understanding is that this would contribute to a general growth in holiness. Is that so, I wonder?

Perhaps an increase of Fortitude would follow sacramental confession after instances where we’ve fallen short.
 
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