How to tell the difference between mortal and venial sin?

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KatarinaTherese

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I’ve been wondering lately whether certain sins I’ve committed are mortal or venial. I know the requirements for mortal sin; grave matter, full knowledge and consent, all that stuff. But what confuses me is the “grave matter” part. How grave is grave? I already know that the sins I commit are wrong, but do I have to know that they’re mortal? I’m just sort of confused. :confused:
 
The distinction between mortal and venial as a bean-counting issue, and the exact cutoff between them is vague at best, if not just plain subjective.

Sin is sin. Hating is tantamount to killing, lusting is akin to adultery, and all that.

“So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt 5:48)

As a practical matter, if your conscience troubles you then you should go to reconciliation. Why worry about a bunch of rules over whether you’re required to or not?

Alan
 
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AlanFromWichita:
The distinction between mortal and venial as a bean-counting issue, and the exact cutoff between them is vague at best, if not just plain subjective.

Sin is sin. Hating is tantamount to killing, lusting is akin to adultery, and all that.

“So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt 5:48)

As a practical matter, if your conscience troubles you then you should go to reconciliation. Why worry about a bunch of rules over whether you’re required to or not?

Alan
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We worry because Paul worried when he explains in Scripture that there is a difference between deadly sin and sin that is not deadly. If it was good enough for Paul, it is probably good enough for us.

Scott
 
Thanks to both of you! I agree with Scott Waddell about the worrying, though. I was asking because I know it’s wrong to recieve the Eucharist while still in mortal sin, and I didn’t want to do that! Also, I don’t have my license yet, so I can’t just drive to confession whenever I want.
 
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KatarinaTherese:
I’ve been wondering lately whether certain sins I’ve committed are mortal or venial. I know the requirements for mortal sin; grave matter, full knowledge and consent, all that stuff. But what confuses me is the “grave matter” part. How grave is grave? I already know that the sins I commit are wrong, but do I have to know that they’re mortal? I’m just sort of confused. :confused:
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Here are a few CA AAA posts that seek to clarify your question:

Does mortal sin really require grave matter?
Is “grave sin” the same thing as “mortal sin”?
Sin
 
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