Is it a sin if...

[CatholicCraze]

Is it a sin if I take a plastic fork from my college’s cafeteria? I mean, part of me says no since its a plastic fork and unimportant and that the cafeteria staff wouldn’t miss it. The other part is screaming at me that I sinned by stealing. Any thoughts?

Also, one of the things I planned on giving up for lent was hot showers (my friends already gave me strange looks for this), but my mind for cold showers turned into warm showers. Is a warm shower considered a hot shower in my case? If it is, then is me breaking one of the things I gave up a sin?

I apologize in advance if these sound stupid. My mind likes to overthink the smallest of situations which is probably what it is doing here. Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut!!

 

[GEddie]

Is it a sin if I take a plastic fork from my college’s cafeteria? I mean, part of me says no since its a plastic fork and unimportant and that the cafeteria staff wouldn’t miss it. The other part is screaming at me that I sinned by stealing. Any thoughts?

Also, one of the things I planned on giving up for lent was hot showers (my friends already gave me strange looks for this), but my mind for cold showers turned into warm showers. Is a warm shower considered a hot shower in my case? If it is, then is me breaking one of the things I gave up a sin?

I apologize in advance if these sound stupid. My mind likes to overthink the smallest of situations which is probably what it is doing here. Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut!!

Re: the plastic fork, most likely no big deal if done as a one-off (the value is negligible); but taking them should not become a habit!

As to the showers. You are trying to give up a bodily comfort, in the true spirit of Lent. But sometimes our BODIES won’t cooperate with that!!! Allow your skin to acclimate to colder water!

Remember also that failing to complete Lenten penance is part of the point. We are not supposed to head to the Easter Vigil feeling good about how we self denied during Lent; but rather with a deeper appreciation for our need for Heavenly life!

ICXC NIKA.

 

[Joan92]

I’d ask a priest these things in confession BUT also my two cents…

My thought on taking the extra plastic fork --not sinful. They put them out FOR their students to use!

Also, I think modifying the penance you select for Lent isn’t bound by the pain of sin. I could be wrong but I think it’s sinful if you utterly blow off the penetential season or fail to make a sacrifice at all. But if you’re making any kind of mortification --warm showers instead of hot, that seems like a suffering to me.

May I make a recommendation? I worry a lot, and your questions reminded me of myself. Perhaps make a resolution/penance/act that is a little bit more concrete for Lent. Something very cut and dry. So you will not wonder whether you did or not. Like one Rosary a day. You won’t be confused if you did it or not. Or even no coffee, or no beer. There’s no gray area on wether or not you are fasting from those items since to have them would never be accidental, or unclear to you. That will decrease anxiety! Does that make sense?

Think how much Our Lord loves you and knows you are trying!

 

[CatholicCraze]

Thank you so much! That really helped!

 

[Latinitas]

Is it a sin if I take a plastic fork from my college’s cafeteria? I mean, part of me says no since its a plastic fork and unimportant and that the cafeteria staff wouldn’t miss it. The other part is screaming at me that I sinned by stealing. Any thoughts?

Also, one of the things I planned on giving up for lent was hot showers (my friends already gave me strange looks for this), but my mind for cold showers turned into warm showers. Is a warm shower considered a hot shower in my case? If it is, then is me breaking one of the things I gave up a sin?

I apologize in advance if these sound stupid. My mind likes to overthink the smallest of situations which is probably what it is doing here. Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut!!

Hi, the answers above are good. I would add that, you sound prone to scrupulosity, and should find a spiritual director, and obey him punctually. Ask him if your mortifications for Lent sound good - if they’re only leading you to scruple more, they’re useless.

Benedicat Deus,
Latinitas