Mortal sins

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Hello all!

I have often struggled with what exactly is a mortal sin. I understand the conditions that must be present in order for a sin to be considered mortal, however, where I get confused is what is classified as “serious matter” or a “grave offense against God.” For example, if I knew on Saturday that I was going to call into work sick, although I am not sick, but I just want the day off, is that considered a mortal sin? Or does it not meet the “serious matter” test?
I have had discussion with this as it relates to masturbation. Mortal or venial? Maybe I am searching in the wrong places for the answers, but I know that I can find them here.
Lastly, when we go to mass on Sunday, before we receive communion, all venial sins are forgiven, if we are truly sorry and repent for those sins, they are forgiven. Therefore, do these sins need to be confessed the next time you go to confession.
Thank you for your help with these simple questions. 👍
 
edewilde:
Hello all!

I have often struggled with what exactly is a mortal sin. I understand the conditions that must be present in order for a sin to be considered mortal, however, where I get confused is what is classified as “serious matter” or a “grave offense against God.” For example, if I knew on Saturday that I was going to call into work sick, although I am not sick, but I just want the day off, is that considered a mortal sin? Or does it not meet the “serious matter” test?
I have had discussion with this as it relates to masturbation. Mortal or venial? Maybe I am searching in the wrong places for the answers, but I know that I can find them here.
Lastly, when we go to mass on Sunday, before we receive communion, all venial sins are forgiven, if we are truly sorry and repent for those sins, they are forgiven. Therefore, do these sins need to be confessed the next time you go to confession.
Thank you for your help with these simple questions. 👍
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Here’s a link that lists some of the mortal sins that should give you an idea of which sins are mortal and which are not.

catholicparents.org/oxcart/examination.html

Also, in regards to your question about calling in to work and saying you are not sick when you really are not. Whether or not that is mortal really depends on you’re state of mind and/or attitude. I am not sure if those are the right words or to describe what I am trying to say, but, basically if one where to lie about being sick to get out of work and were basically saying to themselves, “Yeah, I know it’s wrong, I know it’s an offense to God, but it’s not that bad. It’s only venial. God will forgive me. I’ll still make it to heaven”. The lie itself might be venial because the matter is not grave. However, the sin of presumption might have been committed which is mortal.
 
edewilde:
Hello all!

I have often struggled with what exactly is a mortal sin. I understand the conditions that must be present in order for a sin to be considered mortal, however, where I get confused is what is classified as “serious matter” or a “grave offense against God.”

If the sin separates us from the love of God it is a grave matter. IOW, does this sin entail having to turn your back on God and his law to commit? Are you willingly disobeying one of the Ten Commandments? Then it is a grave matter.

For example, if I knew on Saturday that I was going to call into work sick, although I am not sick, but I just want the day off, is that considered a mortal sin? Or does it not meet the “serious matter” test?

Would calling in sick when you aren’t rob your employer of a good deal of his money? Then yes, it is a mortal sin, especially if it is done out of ill will towards one’s employer and not just to “play hooky.”

I have had discussion with this as it relates to masturbation. Mortal or venial? Maybe I am searching in the wrong places for the answers, but I know that I can find them here.

This is a venial sin unless it is habitually done, especially in defiance of God’s law. Anything we do in direct defiance of God’s law is a mortal sin.

Lastly, when we go to mass on Sunday, before we receive communion, all venial sins are forgiven, if we are truly sorry and repent for those sins, they are forgiven. Therefore, do these sins need to be confessed the next time you go to confession.

It is good to confess them in order to relieve your heart and mind of them even if they have been wiped out in general confession. IOW, it can’t hurt to confess them and may help your confessor give you better spiritual direction and a good penance for them.

Thank you for your help with these simple questions. 👍

You’re welcome! 🙂
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I have had discussion with this as it relates to masturbation. Mortal or venial? Maybe I am searching in the wrong places for the answers, but I know that I can find them here.
Click to expand...
This is a venial sin unless it is habitually done, especially in defiance of God’s law. Anything we do in direct defiance of God’s law is a mortal sin.
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Masturbation is a grave sin. Please read #2352 the Catechism of The Catholic Church:
scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a6.htm#II

You must confess all mortal sins by kind and (approximate) number before receiving Holy Communion. Receiving Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin is a grave sin.
 
What you are really asking is “Do I need to confess it?”

What do you think? The more uncomfortable you are confessing it, the more it needs to be confessed.

A grave sin is a grave sin even if your particular circumstances may render you less culpable. If the matter itself, objectively taken, is grave (refer to links given above), then confess it, especially if you don’t want to. You’ll be glad you did.
 
Thanks for the quick response to the questions. Now that I have some links to refer to this will help. Growing up Catholic, these thigns have been taught to me, but I needed a deeper understanding and this really helps. What a great forum. Anyhow, I used to be the “typical confessor” with the short list of sins, but have learned through a few priests about the true meaning of confession and am able to open about the sins that I am confessing as to not hold anything back. “Sins of omission are worse than the sins of commission.” Fr. Larry Richards. Confession is such a humbling experience. I am trying my best to start a routine of going to confession regularly.
Thinking about this leads me to ask, what percent of those that go to confession do you think actually confess all their sins? Or do they just go through their “grocery list” of sins and then qualify it with “for these and for all my sins?” If they do qualify their sins, does that count? Sorry free thinking here.
 
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Madia:
Masturbation is a grave sin. Please read #2352 the Catechism of The Catholic Church:
scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a6.htm#II

You must confess all mortal sins by kind and (approximate) number before receiving Holy Communion. Receiving Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin is a grave sin.
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Masturbation is of grave matter and most people know its bad but it could only be a venial sin because you could not give full consent to it.
 
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Fox:
Masturbation is of grave matter and most people know its bad but it could only be a venial sin because you could not give full consent to it.
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If the *matter *is grave (i.e., mortal), and you did it, confess it.

The quibble about “full consent” is an evasive tactic on the penitent’s part. There is great benefit in confessing even venial sin. Let the priest decide the gravity. In the case of objectively grave matter where subjective factors mitigate culpability, a wise penitent would 'fess up in the battle to be free.

Be not afraid! God will not be outdone in generosity.
 
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