Nfp

[km112482]

My husband and I practice NFP. At the moment we are not trying to concieve. Last night we started something up and I stopped it before it went too far because I was still in a stage where I could get pregnant. Is it a mortal sin to have done anything at all, and then not performed the marital act? I am just confused? I did almost come to the point of climax, but I stopped it right before, because I knew it wasnt right to do if we werent going to have sexual intercourse. Do I need to go to confession before recieving the blessed sacrament now that this has happened? I really feel horrible about this.

God Bless,
Kerri

 

[Shiann]

Speaking outside of this specific question:

We can pretty much figure that if we feel wrong about something- it probably is.

Now, while I don’t *think *you did anything wrong, it would be wise to chat with your priest. He can help clarify this for you, and you will be relieved of any culpability you may have incurred upon yourself.

Over on another thread, Black Jacque might say that you missed one of those “cues” from God. Maybe God is telling you and your spouse that now IS the time to have a family.

 

[BibleReader]

km112482:

My husband and I practice NFP. At the moment we are not trying to concieve. Last night we started something up and I stopped it before it went too far because I was still in a stage where I could get pregnant. Is it a mortal sin to have done anything at all, and then not performed the marital act? I am just confused? I did almost come to the point of climax, but I stopped it right before, because I knew it wasnt right to do if we werent going to have sexual intercourse. Do I need to go to confession before recieving the blessed sacrament now that this has happened? I really feel horrible about this.

God Bless,
Kerri

Hi, kerri. Be a little kinder to yourself. I am glad to hear that your heart is where it is at. What you describe is the heart of one who loves God, and upon whom God smiles.

I think that the mortal sin territory is below where you are at. In other words, morally you’re going to have to be substantially uglier than what you describe, to be damned. Though the Church focuses-in on specific sexual encounters in gauging sinfulness, the Church looks for nasty, cold hearts generating those specific incidents of sexual misbehavior. God is not sitting on the edge of a cloud, rubbing His hands together, anxiously awaiting an opportunity to damn a gentle heart.

Chalk it up to experience.

Watch the movie Angela’s Ashes, and watch the priest at the end of the movie, hearing the boy’s confession. That’s God.

 

[felra]

I don’t think you did anything wrong. Communicate with your husband. Don’t want to get in the pattern of reving up the engines but not able to put the lovemaking into drive. This can only lead to frustration and false starts (or slips). Pray for wisdom and prudence. Now, I will go and take my own advice.

 

[km112482]

Thanks so much everyone. I really appreciate everyone’s answers. It makes me feel so much better that there are others to talk to that understand my situation.

God Bless all of you,

Kerri