Is the classification of what is (and is not) a mortal sin infallible?

[auctoris]

Yes, missing Sunday Mass is a mortal sin because it is a violation of the dogma of the Church to “Keep Holy the Lord’s Day.” (3d Commandment)

I understand. But, at the same time, when accused of doing work on the sabbath Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2.27 RSV-2CE)

And I remember the Shabbat elevators in Israel that would stop on every floor so they didn’t have to push a button (i.e. do work) on the Sabbath.

As I said before, I’m on my way to Catholicism, but missing mass being a mortal sin comes across as somewhat legalistic.

Thank you for the info.

 

[truetofaith]

I understand. But, at the same time, when accused of doing work on the sabbath Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2.27 RSV-2CE)

And I remember the Shabbat elevators in Israel that would stop on every floor so they didn’t have to push a button (i.e. do work) on the Sabbath.

As I said before, I’m on my way to Catholicism, but missing mass being a mortal sin comes across as somewhat legalistic.

Thank you for the info.

Intentionally missing Mass on Sunday is a mortal sin…because the Catholic Church determined that is the way we keep holy the Lord’s Day- 3rd Commandment.

 

[Gorgias]

It seems that making malum prohibitum behaviors mortal sins could be problematic.

Interesting point.

It seems that you’re saying that not “keeping holy the sabbath” is merely a malum prohibitum – that is, something that is wrong to do only because it is prohibited (by law). Let’s look at another of the ten commandments: is murder wrong only because it is prohibited? Or, is it wrong because it’s malum per se (that is, ‘wrong in itself’)? I would think that murder is evil (with or without the ten commandments); wouldn’t it be reasonable to say that not giving praise and thanksgiving to God is likewise wrong? And that, by virtue of later authoritative Church law, the proper way to avoid this malum per se is by participation at Mass on the Lord’s Day?

Your thought experiment is an interesting one, but as others have noted, there are more considerations than those you’ve outlined. In your example, has the person repented of the sin of willfully missing Sunday Mass? Have they resolved to go to confession as soon as practicable? (I’m thinking that these are salient considerations that bear on your thought experiment…)

 

[auctoris]

Interesting point.

It seems that you’re saying that not “keeping holy the sabbath” is merely a malum prohibitum – that is, something that is wrong to do only because it is prohibited (by law). Let’s look at another of the ten commandments: is murder wrong only because it is prohibited? Or, is it wrong because it’s malum per se (that is, ‘wrong in itself’)? I would think that murder is evil (with or without the ten commandments); wouldn’t it be reasonable to say that not giving praise and thanksgiving to God is likewise wrong? And that, by virtue of later authoritative Church law, the proper way to avoid this malum per se is by participation at Mass on the Lord’s Day?

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2.27 RSV-2CE)

 

[Gorgias]

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2.27 RSV-2CE)

And as soon as Jesus walks up to me and says, “don’t worry about following the rules,” I’ll feel ok about breaking them. Until then, I’ll follow the rules that the Church that Jesus founded has set up…

After all, that’s what the context of the quote you’re floating is, isn’t it? The Pharisees are challenging Jesus’ authority to make rules that conflict with theirs. He responds not just with Mk 2:27, but summarizes with “that is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” In other words, His rules trump. And His rules – through the Church He founded – tell us that we are to worship on Sunday at Mass. The sabbath is made for man – and therefore, for our sake, we are to participate at the Mass.

Seriously, though: nothing of substance in response to my questions to you?

 

[auctoris]

After all, that’s what the context of the quote you’re floating is, isn’t it? The Pharisees are challenging Jesus’ authority to make rules that conflict with theirs. He responds not just with Mk 2:27, but summarizes with “that is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” In other words, His rules trump. And His rules – through the Church He founded – tell us that we are to worship on Sunday at Mass. The sabbath is made for man – and therefore, for our sake, we are to participate at the Mass.

Thank you for taking the time to respond. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m on my journey to Catholicism so I’m trying to learn as much as possible. I don’t have as much problem with missing Mass being a sin as the fact it’s a mortal sin. That just seems extreme–murder, rape, missing Mass. But, that may very well be the reality.

How does this relate:

“Likewise, my brethren, you have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God. While we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we serve not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit.” (Rom 7.4–6 RSV-2CE)

Thank you

 

[Gorgias]

I don’t have as much problem with missing Mass being a sin as the fact it’s a mortal sin. That just seems extreme–murder, rape, missing Mass.

Not “missing Mass”, but "willingly, intentionally, unrepentingly disobeying the commandment to ‘keep holy the Lord’s day’. The difference between your first two examples and the third, I think, is that the first two are also offenses against another person. That doesn’t mean the offense between you and God alone is any less serious, however.

How does this relate:

I don’t think it does, strictly speaking. After all, Paul is making a particular case here, beginning at Romans 7:1 – “the law has jurisdiction over one as long as one lives… you were put to death to the law through the body of Christ, so that you might belong to the one who was raised from the dead. … But now we are released from the law.” (Romans 7:1, 4, 6).

Paul is claiming that the law only binds those who are alive; and, since (through our baptism in Christ’s death) we are reborn into new life, we are not bound to observance of the entirety of Mosaic law. Does that mean that Christ gave us the right to ignore everything that came before? No – just that, as the early Church taught, there are restrictions in the law that do not apply to Christians. The practice of coming together (especially on the Lord’s Day) to pray and hear Scripture and celebrate the sacrament of Christ’s body and blood, though, is something that the Church did since its beginning (as attested in Scripture).

 

[auctoris]

I’m starting to get a grasp on it although I’m not sure everyone would agree.

Protestants don’t have mortal sin–there’s just sin. You can’t sin away your salvation. But you can reject God entirely and go the other way.

I think the spirit of the law regarding mortal sin is that it is an act of the will rejecting God. It is a condition of the heart. Only God knows what is in someone’s heart and what their intentions are, were, or will be.

The Church has defined Mass as a serious matter. Therefore, by will and intent, missing Mass can be rejecting God. Only God knows. It could apply like the Protestant’s sin of rejecting God/salvation.

It seems there are two equal dangers: 1. Looking at the issue legalistically and believing everyone who missed mass is going to hell, and 2. Believing it’s not really a mortal sin–not really a rejection of God.

The Jewish theologian Martin Buber said you can’t break the law, you can only break yourself against the law. The Ten Commandments also act like a mirror. They show you the condition of your heart. Perhaps missing mass is very similar.

At least those are my thoughts so far. I know traditionalists won’t like it, but I’m working on it.

 

[LethalMouse]

If you are freaking out about going to hell because you couldn’t make it to mass/confession, and it is truly tearing you to shreds…

You are not capable of being evil enough to go to hell

So enjoy heaven

 

[Strydersroom]

In my opinion, many sins are indeed opinions. Especially the scrupulous ones that seem to get asked about daily. It’s all about context and intent. A teenager may “discover” masturbation without a hint of lust in their heart, one might take an Apple off another’s tree, one might make a mix CD for their friends, one might use a condom to plan a family, one might order a water and fill it with soda, one might stub their toe and yell the most blasphemous obscenity…now to some these are all mortal sins, to even other’s venial, to other’s none at all. Just.my thoughts