Lorrie said:
Yikes, I went back and looked at my post and I see I left out some key information!!!
The above applies only if you have done a mortal sin. If you haven’t done a mortal sin, no worries! Go to communion if you haven’t done a mortal sin! I feel awful for leaving that out. I was assuming that as the context from some of the previous posts. I should have just pasted in the relevant canon. I know he must have gone to confession because he always does before he returns to church after an absence or some faltering. I’ve heard him refer to it. I didn’t feel lust for him, but I think there is a spark between us. He is 4 years younger than I, is a bit wild, with long hair. He runs a bike shop, and we’ve had some provacative conversations that have set my thoughts on fire like this. I’ve been alone for 8 years since my dear husband died. I do feel very attacted to this man. He’s never been married. I’m afraid of getting involved, esp since I’m extremely physically attracted to him. He is very fit and lusty looking. I just don’t know what to think. I don’t even usually go to that Mass and neither does he. We talked for a long time.
You will not read this until after you return from Mass. For the benefit of others. A Person in Mortal Sin should only approach Holy Communion after an Act of Contrition if they will be deprived of the Eucharist for an extended period of time. I would suspect that under normal circumstances Confession and Holy Communion would be available within 30 days to most people. It may be an opportunity to explain that when we do not feel worthy because of our sins we must seek Reconciliation before approaching Holy Communion. You should attend Sunday Mass and if necessary can go up to Communion behind others with your arms crossed and receive a blessing instead without anyone noticing.Dear Bro Rich,
OK, I’ll do what you say. If there is a possibilty that I mortally sinned, can I still have communion tommorrow? Maybe I should skip church, since my children would not understand going for communion without me. Aren’t you allowed to receive if you are contrite and plan to go to confession ASAP?
I feel as if I’m floundering and can’t reach a lifeboat. I’m barely keeping my head above water and there’s only a boat in the distance and I can’t reach it. I wish the Church were stronger, I feel like it’s too weak to help me now. I need the sacrament of confession dearly. This is the problem in living in a rural community I guess.
I don’t understand how other people get along without confession. I’m so weak I need it. I’m such a lowly sinner, I just can’t seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s overwhelming me.
It is important to also remember that Temptation is NOT equal to sin. Christ Himself was subject to temptation. Human beings are human! To be tempted but not act on that temptation is not sinful. It does however require attention and prayer and the grace received will help when tempted again.Dear Friends,
I really appreciate your responses. I prayed for a long time last night, and poured out my remorse. I plan to get to a complete sacramental confession no later than next Saturday. I went to the 10 AM Mass early and said the Rosary. I did receive communion.
Also, the object of my lust was at church! His grandma just died so he is going back to church again!
I thought I wanted to be single for the rest of my life, but maybe I need to rethink that. Anyways, I will be having a long confession very soon, come hell or high water. I’ll pray about it all week, thank you all.
Why would you receive Holy Communion if you think that you are in a state of mortal sin. You obviously do if you wanted to go to confession as badly as you say you did. If you are in a state of mortal sin, you have just added another mortal sin on top of the mortal sins that you already had on your conscience.
What has really helped me with attempting to keep my mind and body pure is frequent prayer and the avoidance of the types of situations that might tempt me. This has helped immensely. Am I perfect? Of course not! My boyfriend and I slip up on rare occassions - it happens, after all, like Br. Rich said - we’re human!
Well, being a server (or an honorary acolyte LOL) I don’t always get to the Saturday confession, what tends to happen is if I don’t I stop anyone with a Roman Collar and ask for the Sacrament…Tends to work fairly well…you have to be spontaneous and do it face to face, its a great humiliation (meant in the nice penancy way). Why hide your identity, the guy probably knows who you are if you’re a parishioner, you might as well make the small sacrifice of sitting infront of him. Why wait sister? Why not just call the prebytery ask to speak to the Priest and make an appointment, death comes as a thief in the night, lets not mess with our eternal salvation here…
Spirit, you speak of your reluctance to be known in confession, about your embarrassment. OK, we’ve all felt that. But you also speak of contrition. Would it help you to accept your shame with a kind of joy as part of your penance? Christ’s mercy is so great that our embarrassment is a mere nothing in comparison with his grace. Humility is not the easiest virtue in the world but it is one of the most fruitful.