Not going to Confession immediately

[fastenatingguy]

The definition of sloth is laziness or apathy of the spiritual life.

Yes the church requires confession and the Eucharist once a year. That is so people examen their consciences at least once year even if all they confess is Venial sins.

It is a minimum not a standard.

I get you don’t want to admit your wrong, but to say someone who chooses to live outside of Gods grace for extended periods of time because they are too busy to go to confession is the definition of sloth.

They are putting other things before God and their relationship with him. They are apathetic toward sin and it’s consequences.

I appreciate both you and Thistle as posters on this board. However, I believe your comment is not necessary. I’m not sure anyone is keeping score

 

[Jon_S_1]

I appreciate both you and Thistle as posters on this board. However, I believe your comment is not necessary. I’m not sure anyone is keeping score

That’s true. My apologies for that to Thistle.

Perhaps we have been just talking past each other.

I do agree this is gray in some regard.

I think we need to be careful not to become “cookbook Catholics”. Simply meaning we follow the "recipe "in the rubrics and guidelines and never develop a living faith.

I see someone who is ok living in mortal sin to just do their once a year obligation being in a category like that. I would encourage people to "not get slothful " in their development of the spiritual life.

 

[fastenatingguy]

That’s true. My apologies for that to Thistle.

Perhaps we have been just talking past each other.

I do agree this is gray in some regard.

I think we need to be careful not to become “cookbook Catholics”. Simply meaning we follow the "recipe "in the rubrics and guidelines and never develop a living faith.

I see someone who is ok living in mortal sin to just do their once a year obligation bring in a category like that. I would encourage people to "not get slothful " in their development of the spiritual life.

 

[howareyou1]

Interesting question…
i was thinking of going to confession today… My last confession was about a month ago… i 'm a huge sinner, i commit mortal sins every week (masturbation) I have been delaying my confession not because of laziness,(i like going to mass at least twice a week) but rather because of shame… did i commit a mortal sin by delaying my confession?
thank you

 

[CrossofChrist]

I’m coming back to this. After reading Aquinas (newadvent.org/summa/5006.htm#article5), I’ve reconsidered my position. It need not be a mortal sin to delay confession. If your delaying is because of another mortal sin, e.g you don’t feel the need to be reconciled with God, you are angered with God and don’t want his friendship, etc, then it would be a mortal sin. Or if you are in danger of dying or whatnot, it would be. But if it’s for some other reason that’s not a mortal sin, then it wouldn’t be. That leads into another point. It can be a gray area for when your delaying would be a mortal sin. Not wanting to call your priest to set up an appointment is not in itself a mortal sin, so if my reading of Aquinas is correct waiting for a suitable (not absurd or unreasonable) confession time offered by a parish is acceptable (perhaps this is helpful for scrupulous people or those with those tendencies). Waiting for a while need not necessarily be a mortal sin (is there a reason for it?), but it could be if you are doing it to avoid God which would be out of contempt and disregarding divine grace. It depends.