Is it okay to not worry about whether somthing was sinful or not?

[Benjamin89]

If I have done somthing that I’m sure is not a mortal sin, but I really don’t know if it was a sin at all, is it okay for me to not try to sort out whether I sinned or not, and just say an act of contrition, and throw the whole incident away forever?

 

[marty1818]

Benjamin89:

If I have done somthing that I’m sure is not a mortal sin, but I really don’t know if it was a sin at all, is it okay for me to not try to sort out whether I sinned or not, and just say an act of contrition, and throw the whole incident away forever?

I think it is almost impossible to accidently commit a mortal sin because there are three guidelines that must be met for a sin to be mortal. Maybe this will put your mind at ease:

catholic.org/frz/examen/mortal_main.htm

It has a list of mortal sins and then a list of venial sins and imperfections.

Hope this helps.

God Bless,
Matt

 

[Benjamin89]

Thanks for your reply, but I’m not asking about what mortal sin is though. I’m asking if I need to figure out if I sinned or not when the action was certainly not mortal sin. Can I ask for forgiveness if it was a sin and forget about it? O, and will everyone who reads this message please say just a small prayer for me, everyone else, and peace. Thanks so much!

 

[marty1818]

Benjamin89:

Thanks for your reply, but I’m not asking about what mortal sin is though. I’m asking if I need to figure out if I sinned or not when the action was certainly not mortal sin. Can I ask for forgiveness if it was a sin and forget about it? O, and will everyone who reads this message please say just a small prayer for me, everyone else, and peace. Thanks so much!

If it is a venial sin I wouldn’t worry too much about it. The use of holy water, the penitential rite at mass (I confess to Almighty God;Lord Have Mercy…) and receiving the Eucharist all forgive venial sins. If you sin venially, you can always just bless yourself with holy water. Does this help?

God Bless,
Matt

 

[JimG]

Benjamin89:

If I have done somthing that I’m sure is not a mortal sin, but I really don’t know if it was a sin at all, is it okay for me to not try to sort out whether I sinned or not, and just say an act of contrition, and throw the whole incident away forever?

Yes.

 

[tdandh26]

Personally, I think you should go to confession and confess it, if it is bothering you. Even venial sin is deplorable to God and we should confess them as well as mortal sins.
If your action was not a sin the priest should let you know, or you can ask him. I actually had a priest tell me that something I did was not a sin, even though I knew it was. So I suggest you try and find a good faithfull priest.

Good Luck

 

[MrIrish]

Benjamin89:

If I have done somthing that I’m sure is not a mortal sin, but I really don’t know if it was a sin at all, is it okay for me to not try to sort out whether I sinned or not, and just say an act of contrition, and throw the whole incident away forever?

There are so few things in life that we are ever 100% sure of. You said you are certain it is not a mortal sin. Then make an act of contrition and forget about it! Dwelling on sins or doubtful sins or imperfections serves no good purpose whatsoever and will serve only to confuse and upset you. Follow the advice you have read in the SA newsletters – let it go and trust in God’s infinite mercy.

 

[MrIrish]

tdandh26:

Personally, I think you should go to confession and confess it, if it is bothering you. Even venial sin is deplorable to God and we should confess them as well as mortal sins.
If your action was not a sin the priest should let you know, or you can ask him. I actually had a priest tell me that something I did was not a sin, even though I knew it was. So I suggest you try and find a good faithfull priest.

Good Luck

I know you are trying to give good advice, and for a normal person what you said makes sense. But I suspect the original poster is suffering from scruples, in which case your advised course of action is not really wise. If he went to confession every time he had a doubt about the sinfulness of something, he would never leave the confessional.

 

[tdandh26]

MrIrish:

I know you are trying to give good advice, and for a normal person what you said makes sense. But I suspect the original poster is suffering from scruples, in which case your advised course of action is not really wise. If he went to confession every time he had a doubt about the sinfulness of something, he would never leave the confessional.

I understand that scrupples may be a problem, I had to deal with these myself. But, I could not overcome them on my own, it was exactly in the confessional that I received the help I needed to overcome them. It was St. Ignatius of Loyola who also sought help for his scrupples in the confessional.
The problem today though for most normal people is that they dont ever recognise sin in their life.

 

[tjmiller]

If one has not confessed what may possibly be a sin, then, yes, one has an obligation to “try and sort it out” in an examination of conscience before Confession.

If one has already confessed what may or may not be a sin, and has received absolution, then no, one should not thereafter try to sort it out. That’s whipping a dead horse, as it were.

One might do well to avoid asking a priest if something one is confessing is a sin or not. That will often only confuse you. When in doubt, I find it best just to presume it is a sin, confess it, get absolved, and then Totally Forget About It. It is gone! Gone in the sight of God, gone in the sight of the Church, and therefore it should be gone in the sight of me, also.