Penance After a Mortal Sin and Before Confession

[Scout]

Okay. Say you’re committed a mortal sin. You’re sorry for it, but you can’t go to confession right away. You’d like to offer penance, though. Does penance do any good, since you’re not in a state of grace?

Scout :tiphat:

 

[LilyM]

Okay. Say you’re committed a mortal sin. You’re sorry for it, but you can’t go to confession right away. You’d like to offer penance, though. Does penance do any good, since you’re not in a state of grace?

Scout :tiphat:

A couple of thoughts …

1. Read the OT. Didn’t repentant sinners (eg the people of Nineveh or King David after the Bathsheba incident) FIRST spend time in sackcloth and ashes (ie doing penance for their sins) and THEN get told they were forgiven (ie absolved)?

If God can, whilst we are still in a state of sin, hear our prayers of contrition asking for forgiveness for our sins (and He does, otherwise absolution and the sacrament of Penance would be impossible) then surely He will accept our heartfelt penances offered in reparation for those same sins.

Which segues neatly into …

1. Read up on Perfect Contrition. Without sacramental confession, a sincere Act of Perfect Contrition (motivated by love of God rather than fear of hell or other factors) is sufficient to obtain absolution of sins and salvation, and so presumably a return to a state of grace wherein ALL our prayers and penances are acceptable.

Although it must be noted that one still cannot receive Communion, except in the most extraordinary circumstances, without first going to confession.

 

[Scout]

Okay. I guess that makes sense. Thanks for giving me something to think about.

Of course, with perfect contrition, the idea is to ask for forgiveness out of love for God and not out of fear of going to hell or another punishment. That’s a trick. How can anyone really do that? Isn’t there always going to a fear of going to hell? Can any of us love God enough to make a perfect act of contrition. After all, if we loved God that much, wouldn’t that prevent us from committing the sin in the first place?

Scout :tiphat:

 

[LilyM]

Okay. I guess that makes sense. Thanks for giving me something to think about.

Of course, with perfect contrition, the idea is to ask for forgiveness out of love for God and not out of fear of going to hell or another punishment. That’s a trick. How can anyone really do that? Isn’t there always going to a fear of going to hell? Can any of us love God enough to make a perfect act of contrition. After all, if we loved God that much, wouldn’t that prevent us from committing the sin in the first place?

Scout :tiphat:

Well, it is arguable, as the wording of the Act of Perfect Contrition mentions other motives for sorrow, that all that is required is that the PRIMARY, or main, motivation, be love of God rather than the other things.

Remember God wants us to be saved, He’s not hanging around waiting to put huge and unnecessary stumbling blocks in our way.

 

[Nickkname]

Okay. I guess that makes sense. Thanks for giving me something to think about.

Of course, with perfect contrition, the idea is to ask for forgiveness out of love for God and not out of fear of going to hell or another punishment. That’s a trick. How can anyone really do that? Isn’t there always going to a fear of going to hell? Can any of us love God enough to make a perfect act of contrition. After all, if we loved God that much, wouldn’t that prevent us from committing the sin in the first place?

Scout :tiphat:

Your argument against the perfect act of contrition holds two errors: 1) You presume that love of God prevents sin, when in fact it is not our efforts, which leads into the second problem: 2) You presume that man alone has the power to love God and avoid sin, when in fact it is not we but God who has this power, for only God is love. Man can do nothing apart from God. But with God, anything is possible! Therefore, pray, pray with all your trust and hope in God. He is Mercy itself. He will give you the graces necessary for your soul, but you must not quench them.

 

[Scout]

Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut/comments. You’ve all given me something to think about and pray about.

Thanks for your time.
Scout :tiphat: