Is this venial sin?

[Mr.Blank]

Just recently I found out a friend of mine had took a book (To kill a mockingbird) from school for months and has no intention on returning it. The school has many copies of it so since he took only one is this a venial sin?
Since I constantly have an urge to not be associated with the sins of others I tried telling him to return the book. Am I in anyway culpable for any sin?

 

[puppylove]

I believe that stealing is a serious sin. You can relay that info to him and it is up to him to make the right decision.

 

[Mamamull]

A good rule of thumb for me is:

If I am “wondering” then I need to realize it is the case.

As in if I am wondering if not returning a book or not chastising my friend strongly is a problem – then I do need to realize I have a problem.

I don’t wait for mortal necessarily to take part in the Sacrament of Penance --Confession or reconciliation – if I am troubled, the sacrament and the grace that is abundantly poured on us through it, is a great help in overcoming sin. Second only to recieving the Author of Grace in the Eucharist.

As an aside – I am a mom, afterall. Try learing the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. He is my bud and helps me with overcoming my sinful ways.

Pax et bonum,
Mamamull

 

[agname]

Mr.Blank:

Just recently I found out a friend of mine had took a book (To kill a mockingbird) from school for months and has no intention on returning it. The school has many copies of it so since he took only one is this a venial sin?
Since I constantly have an urge to not be associated with the sins of others I tried telling him to return the book. Am I in anyway culpable for any sin?

It depends. You should discuss this with your priest.

Why isn’t he returning the book? Did he check it out…with the intention of never returning it (ala stealing)? Did he check out the book…forget about it…and just recently discover it? Mortal sin requires knowledge and consent.

If he just merely went into the library and took it…with the intention of never returning it…then it’s stealing. Did he warn you ahead of time…then do it? If you discovered this after the fact…and you expressed your thoughts…and the given circumstances…I would think you’re not culpable. You have made your opinion known. Jesus was not guilty of theft because he associated with tax collectors.

 

[asquared]

are you worried about his sin or your sin? you have no business speculating about somebody else’s sin unless you are a priest and he is confessing to you. why do you think you can assume the guilt for somebody else’s sin? only Christ could do that. If you are spending a lot of time pondering every action of your daily life to detect possible sins (as opposed to honest self-reflection and daily examination of conscience), you may be headed for trouble. Please talk to the priest in confession about the danger of scrupulosity.

 

[Mary]

As to what asquared said, of course you won’t take on someone else’s sin, but I think we should be concerned with the sins of others, they do not just sin against God, they sin against the Church and every sin weakens the Body of Christ.

I love what Mamamull said- that if you’re wondering… it’s a good clue. A little off topic, but please forgive me- very recently I was in a ‘dangerous’ relationship… and I didn’t feel guilty or in danger, but I was wondering every once in a while… I was getting wrong messages from some friends, and figured I was just worrying too much. Then I figured it out- Hey! I’m wondering about this way too much. So I picked up the phone and ended it. Jesus is always dropping us hints, we just have to be open to picking them up.

And no compromise! No matter how much he likes that book, and it is an awesome book, he should return it. Maybe buy him a copy!

 

[Mandi]

Mary:

As to what asquared said, of course you won’t take on someone else’s sin, but I think we should be concerned with the sins of others, they do not just sin against God, they sin against the Church and every sin weakens the Body of Christ.

The Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy

1. To admonish sinners
2. To instruct the ignorant.
3. To counsel the doubtful
4. To comfort the sorrowful
5. To bear wrongs patiently.
6. To forgive all injuries
7. To pray for the living and the dead

The first Spiritual work of Mercy is to admonish sinners - we have an obligation to “advise” and show our distaste for sin. Letting sin “go” without notice does nothing for the sinner or ourselves. Of course what they chose to do after that is totally up to them.

 

[Annunciata]

The Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy

1. To admonish sinners
2. To instruct the ignorant.
3. To counsel the doubtful
4. To comfort the sorrowful
5. To bear wrongs patiently.
6. To forgive all injuries
7. To pray for the living and the dead

The first Spiritual work of Mercy is to admonish sinners - we have an obligation to “advise” and show our distaste for sin. Letting sin “go” without notice does nothing for the sinner or ourselves. Of course what they chose to do after that is totally up to them.

Mandi,
Just to add to this… it is called “Fraternal Correction”…and yes we are obliged to advise our bothers and sisters in Christ when we see them doing wrong and it is Scriptural!:twocents:
In Christ, Annunciata