Mortal sin, confession, and communion

[truthseekerjay]

I know that you can’t receive communion if you’re in a state of mortal sin, so people go to confession to have that stain of sin removed. However, people don’t usually receive communion right after confession and if were honest with ourselves, we can probably sin right after confession. Can we be sure that the sins we commit between confession and communion aren’t mortal? The reason I ask is because I feel that we can’t fully determine whether the requirements for a mortal sin (knowledge, intent, gravity) are met since we can often deceive ourselves.

I also heard that the prayer you say before communion can temporarily free you from the state of mortal sin? Is this true?

 

[ChibiViolet]

I know that you can’t receive communion if you’re in a state of mortal sin, so people go to confession to have that stain of sin removed. However, people don’t usually receive communion right after confession and if were honest with ourselves, we can probably sin right after confession. Can we be sure that the sins we commit between confession and communion aren’t mortal? The reason I ask is because I feel that we can’t fully determine whether the requirements for a mortal sin (knowledge, intent, gravity) are met since we can often deceive ourselves.

I also heard that the prayer you say before communion can temporarily free you from the state of mortal sin? Is this true?

I like to go to Confession shortly before Mass and often do so, so as to make sure to avoid receiving Jesus unworthily, but if I don’t have a certain conscious memory of committing a mortal sin than it is okay for me to receive Communion even if I am iffy about whether or not I have indeed committed one. When I am iffy like that though, I highly prefer to go to Confession before Mass and if I can’t, I will go right after, or as soon as I can.

 

[Joe_5859]

I know that you can’t receive communion if you’re in a state of mortal sin, so people go to confession to have that stain of sin removed. However, people don’t usually receive communion right after confession and if were honest with ourselves, we can probably sin right after confession. Can we be sure that the sins we commit between confession and communion aren’t mortal? The reason I ask is because I feel that we can’t fully determine whether the requirements for a mortal sin (knowledge, intent, gravity) are met since we can often deceive ourselves.

You might do well to talk with a priest about this if you feel this unsure of whether or not you slip into mortal sin just moments after Confession. Yes, we can deceive ourselves, but a properly formed conscience goes a long way.

I also heard that the prayer you say before communion can temporarily free you from the state of mortal sin? Is this true?

There is no such thing as being “temporarily” free from mortal sin. You either are or are not. The only way we can be certain we are free from mortal sin is through the Sacrament of Confession (and in some cases Anointing of the Sick).

 

[agnes_therese]

I know that you can’t receive communion if you’re in a state of mortal sin, so people go to confession to have that stain of sin removed. However, people don’t usually receive communion right after confession and if were honest with ourselves, we can probably sin right after confession. Can we be sure that the sins we commit between confession and communion aren’t mortal? The reason I ask is because I feel that we can’t fully determine whether the requirements for a mortal sin (knowledge, intent, gravity) are met since we can often deceive ourselves.

I also heard that the prayer you say before communion can temporarily free you from the state of mortal sin? Is this true?

In most cases, we CAN determine whether our sin is mortal or venial; see para. 1859 of the Catechism.
And I really doubt that most people commit mortal sin “right after confession.” Especially when many people go to confession within a half an hour before Mass.

If you are scrupulous, and really cannot tell the difference between mortal and venial, you need a priest to guide you in this.

 

[Catholic1954]

I know that you can’t receive communion if you’re in a state of mortal sin, so people go to confession to have that stain of sin removed. However, people don’t usually receive communion right after confession and if were honest with ourselves, we can probably sin right after confession. Can we be sure that the sins we commit between confession and communion aren’t mortal? The reason I ask is because I feel that we can’t fully determine whether the requirements for a mortal sin (knowledge, intent, gravity) are met since we can often deceive ourselves.

I also heard that the prayer you say before communion can temporarily free you from the state of mortal sin? Is this true?

Of course we can know if a sin is mortal or venial; children about to make their First Confession and First Communion are taught the difference and any reasonable adult can certainly tell the difference between a parking ticket and pre-meditated, first degree murder. Pretending a sin isn’t so bad or mortal does not mean it isn’t. There is no prayer that can temporarily free one from the state of mortal. One must go to confession and receive absolution from a priest.

 

[truthseekerjay]

In most cases, we CAN determine whether our sin is mortal or venial; see para. 1859 of the Catechism.
And I really doubt that most people commit mortal sin “right after confession.” Especially when many people go to confession within a half an hour before Mass.

If you are scrupulous, and really cannot tell the difference between mortal and venial, you need a priest to guide you in this.

I guess as I grow in my walk, actions that I once viewed as trivial seem more and more serious. Sometimes, I feel that gravity is just a fancy word for “less socially acceptable,” but in reality all of it is equally offensive to God. The catechism gave an example of theft being less serious than murder. From a human standpoint, murder definitely creates more harm than theft and that’s why we would consider it more grave, but from God’s point of view, He had to die for ALL sins and not just ones that humans consider serious. Can we really be sure about the gravity of our sins?

 

[Bookcat]

“One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent.”

Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI

**395. When does one commit a mortal sin?
**
1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.
**
396. When does one commit a venial sin?**

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

305. When is a person obliged to confess mortal sins?

1457

Each of the faithful who has reached the age of discretion is bound to confess his or her mortal sins at least once a year and always before receiving Holy Communion.

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

 

[truthseekerjay]

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

Can we really accurately assess whether full knowledge or full consent was present for ourselves? As for gravity, I wouldn’t have thought that lustfully looking at a woman would be considered adultery, but apparently it is. Come to think of it, any time we sin, we’re pretty much saying I’m choosing me over God, which breaks the first commandment. Someone above mentioned getting a parking ticket versus murder. I agree that the harm caused by these two actions are completely different. However, Jesus did say to follow authorities as long as you aren’t disobeying God. In both those actions, the person is pretty much saying, “I don’t care what you have to say God. I’m going to do what I want.”

 

[Vico]

I know that you can’t receive communion if you’re in a state of mortal sin, so people go to confession to have that stain of sin removed. However, people don’t usually receive communion right after confession and if were honest with ourselves, we can probably sin right after confession. Can we be sure that the sins we commit between confession and communion aren’t mortal? The reason I ask is because I feel that we can’t fully determine whether the requirements for a mortal sin (knowledge, intent, gravity) are met since we can often deceive ourselves.

I also heard that the prayer you say before communion can temporarily free you from the state of mortal sin? Is this true?

Mortal sin is absolved through proper individual sacramental confession. It requires perfect contrition (with an act) to receive, and is only possible when it is necessary to receive communion (a priest).

If one has only venial sins, then reception of the Eucharist is good, but then one is already in a state of sanctifying grace. If one has unabsolved mortal sin then there is no state of sanctifying grace and it is sacrilege to receive. Since this is a grave matter one should not receive without knowledge gained from a diligent examination of conscience, which precludes any quick or trivial consideration. See what the canons say:CIC Can. 988 §1. A member of the Christian faithful is obliged to confess in kind and number all grave sins committed after baptism and not yet remitted directly through the keys of the Church nor acknowledged in individual confession, of which the person has knowledge after diligent examination of conscience.

 

[ccmcmg]

Can we really accurately assess whether full knowledge or full consent was present for ourselves? As for gravity, I wouldn’t have thought that lustfully looking at a woman would be considered adultery, but apparently it is. Come to think of it, any time we sin, we’re pretty much saying I’m choosing me over God, which breaks the first commandment. Someone above mentioned getting a parking ticket versus murder. I agree that the harm caused by these two actions are completely different. However, Jesus did say to follow authorities as long as you aren’t disobeying God. In both those actions, the person is pretty much saying, “I don’t care what you have to say God. I’m going to do what I want.”

Hello,
Thankfully, we have the Church, guiding us how God wants to act, to guide us on such matters.

Yes, you could commit a mortal sin between Confession and Communion, even from the confessional to the pew. However, I think that part of Confession is removing the focus from being on yourself to being on God. If you are trying to concentrate on that, I think it will help.

I have committed venial sins between the short time between. Given the requirements of a mortal sin, I think you would almost have to work at it, though. Really, really work at it. You have just received a beautiful Grace and Mercy from God.

Traffic tickets/speeding are not on the same level as murder, although both are disobeying God, and man. That is why we have categorized sins as venial and mortal. All sin is against God. Would you expect the law enforcement/justice system to treat your traffic tickets the same as murder? Would our Lord be any less just?

Mortal sin cannot be ‘temporarily’ removed by a prayer right before Communion. Also, we are not required to receive the Eucharist at every Mass we attend.

 

[truthseekerjay]

Traffic tickets/speeding are not on the same level as murder, although both are disobeying God, and man. That is why we have categorized sins as venial and mortal. All sin is against God. Would you expect the law enforcement/justice system to treat your traffic tickets the same as murder? Would our Lord be any less just?

With the law enforcement, I would expect them to treat these two actions differently. Humans tend to rank sins based off the harm that they cause.

However, with God the Father, He punished His Son with physical pain and separation from Him so that I can be forgiven of ALL my sins. So can I say that violating parking rules (which is violating the rules of human authority which Jesus, Himself, said to submit to if it doesn’t contradict God’s rules) and murder are different in God’s eyes? Based off the lashes on Jesus’s back and the thorns in His head, I’m starting to think that God may have a different way of judging than humans.

 

[ccmcmg]

With the law enforcement, I would expect them to treat these two actions differently. Humans tend to rank sins based off the harm that they cause.

However, with God the Father, He punished His Son with physical pain and separation from Him so that I can be forgiven of ALL my sins. So can I say that violating parking rules (which is violating the rules of human authority which Jesus, Himself, said to submit to if it doesn’t contradict God’s rules) and murder are different in God’s eyes? Based off the lashes on Jesus’s back and the thorns in His head, I’m starting to think that God may have a different way of judging than humans.

I have to disagree, although someone please correct me if I’m wrong. I’m also a little confused by your comments.

I don’t view it as Jesus being punished; God is not unjust. However, Jesus suffered, not because of God the Father, but because of the sins of man. While Jesus, as human (without sin), was separated from God the Father while He was on earth, He was not separated from God the Father spiritually, nor can you separate ‘God’. He was still One, yet Three.

Are you saying that there are no venial sins? No mortal sins? Only sin, and that all are equal? They are not. Sin does separate us from God (again, Jesus did not sin and was not separated from the Father, and absolutely never ‘apart’ from God).

 

[PulvisEtCinis]

With the law enforcement, I would expect them to treat these two actions differently. Humans tend to rank sins based off the harm that they cause.

However, with God the Father, He punished His Son with physical pain and separation from Him so that I can be forgiven of ALL my sins. So can I say that violating parking rules (which is violating the rules of human authority which Jesus, Himself, said to submit to if it doesn’t contradict God’s rules) and murder are different in God’s eyes? Based off the lashes on Jesus’s back and the thorns in His head, I’m starting to think that God may have a different way of judging than humans.

Firstly, that is an incorrect understanding of the Atonement. Jesus was not punished by or cut off from the Father; that is a Protestant understanding of it.

Secondly, if you think all sin is grave or the same in God’s eyes, what of 1 John 5:16-17? "If anyone sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal.

 

[truthseekerjay]

I don’t view it as Jesus being punished; God is not unjust. However, Jesus suffered, not because of God the Father, but because of the sins of man.

That’s fine, but Jesus did suffer for what we did. Which sins? Just murder, theft or also the ones that humans don’t consider serious?

Are you saying that there are no venial sins? No mortal sins? Only sin, and that all are equal? They are not. Sin does separate us from God (again, Jesus did not sin and was not separated from the Father, and absolutely never ‘apart’ from God).

Not necessarily, but I do have to say that it’s not easy to categorize sin. Just like you I would agree that God would probably not be as mad over violating a parking rule compared to murder. However, Jesus still had to suffer for both actions, so this would tell me that maybe my understanding of the seriousness of sin is skewed by human imperfection.

 

[ccmcmg]

That’s fine, but Jesus did suffer for what we did. Which sins? Just murder, theft or also the ones that humans don’t consider serious?
…Not necessarily, but I do have to say that it’s not easy to categorize sin. Just like you I would agree that God would probably not be as mad over violating a parking rule compared to murder. However, Jesus still had to suffer for both actions, so this would tell me that maybe my understanding of the seriousness of sin is skewed by human imperfection.

Yes, He suffered for us, for all sins that we commit, because we are sinners. ALL sins are serious. However, that doesn’t make all sins ‘equal’. I’m not going to ‘quantitate’ His Suffering, for which sins He suffered most. For Him to suffer ONE for my sake was too much, and I praise Him, thank Him, glorify Him for it, and beg His continued Mercy for my sins and shortcomings.

We are fortunate to have the Church to lead and guide us, as established by Jesus Christ Himself. While the people in the Church are not perfect, the Church Herself does establish and provide us with the answers, through the Bible, the teachings of Jesus Christ Himself, and the theology developed since then with spiritual guidance of the Holy Spirit (God Himself).