Please help.

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Shana

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I need some (name removed by moderator)ut. I was browsing the internet looking up something innocent (related to clothing) and trying to gain practical knowledge about it so I was reading forums and stuff. (The following is going to be intentionally vague b/c I don’t want to lay it out in detail and possibly lead anyone else into sin). I came across a comment on what seemed to me to be an otherwise wholesome forum where someone posted something about what she wore this one time and how it made her feel naughty–this comment was I would say inappropriate or at least would indicate that this lady is sort of strange but not so much the one I’m worried about but rather a commenter that responded to her comment. Basically he got into talking about a sexual experience between him and his girlfriend. It was pretty explicit but I feel that by the time I had a clearer sense that I really should not be reading this I was already hooked and felt compelled to finish the paragraph even though at one point I conciously thought that I should probably stop as this could be seriously bad. I feel horrible because I’m worried that I committed a mortal sin. For a bit of context-- lately, since I’ve begun discerning the vocation of consecrated virginity more seriously, I’ve been on the scrupulous side when it comes to possible impure thoughts. I just am trying to figure out if I should receive communion this week as I go to daily Mass. I could drive myself crazy trying to figure out what “deliberate consent” and “adequate knowledge” mean and assessing if whether what I did met the criterion for being a mortal sin. On the one hand I don’t want to go without communion if my sin was just venial because I feel I really need Jesus in the Eucharist to survive. On the other hand I don’t want to profane the body and blood of the Lord if I did commit a mortal sin.

Prompt replies would be much appreciated!
 
Hard to say in your case, but in my case, this would definitely be a mortal sin. It is grave matter (thou shall not commit adultery, Jesus equated lusting with committing adultery in the heart). In such a case I would not receive the Eucharist.
 
I don’t know if it was a mortal sin, but I’d take this to confession before receiving the Eucharist if you are discerning consecrated virginity. And try to figure out some sort of lesson you learned to avoid this kind of trash, or at least click off it before you get “hooked” on finishing the story.

“Hot button” topics like anything to do with sexuality, tend to attract their share of trolls. The guy posting the graphic details may very well have been one who was posting just to get a rise out of forum members. So maybe a lesson is to trust in your own common sense when selecting a modest wardrobe instead of tracking down information in a forum. Just a thought here… We all know what a modest wardrobe is. If you have doubts about a specific outfit, think of the sternest caricature of a pre Vatican II nun that you can create in your mind, and ask yourself if such a person would approve of the way you are dressing. That’s my “acid test,” in case there are any doubts about something specific.

I was researching something on the internet a few years ago for school, and clicked on a google link. The query terms had nothing to do with anything sexual. Immediately the screen filled up with porn. I clicked off right away, cleaned my cache, dumped my recycle bin, and ran a virus check.
 
WesleyF said:
Hard to say in your case, but in my case, this would definitely be a mortal sin. It is grave matter (thou shall not commit adultery, Jesus equated lusting with committing adultery in the heart). In such a case I would not receive the Eucharist.
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I’m not sure that she was lusting over any sexual act or desire (I don’t believe adultry was committed in this case). It seems more like she couldn’t turn away from a train wreck in progress.

Oldie did you lust for any sexual act?

If so then I would confess. If not then I think it’s a venial sin on your hands. I could be wrong.
 
I don’t think I was lusting for a sexual act…I just couldn’t stop reading. I don’t know.
 
Then I would understand it to be a venial sin, but one you could easily confess.
 
This seems to be more like curiosity than the gratification of lust. A vice, to be sure, but not nearly as grave.

And since you yourself is very doubtful on the matter, it seems that no mortal sin was committed. Confess it anyway, but I wouldn’t think much of it.
 
Joel_PF said:
This seems to be more like curiosity than the gratification of lust. A vice, to be sure, but not nearly as grave.

And since you yourself is very doubtful on the matter, it seems that no mortal sin was committed. Confess it anyway, but I wouldn’t think much of it.
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But, I would add that none of us here are really competent to pass judgment on the severity of your sins. That’s better left for the Confessional. From what you have described, though, I wouldn’t think it would necessitate not receiving Communion (especially since you describe yourself as being on the scrupulous side in this area).
 
I use the rule of thumb that if you have to ask if something was a mortal sin then most likely it was not. I know when I commit a mortal sin and that is not very often since that is a conscious decision to act in a way that fully separates your relationship with God. Many sins that we commit are out of weakness and our inablility to pull away. Our “full consent” culpablility is in question when our lack of judgment, due to weakness, is enhanced.

Yes, I go to confession weekly and am a proponent of the Sacrament. But I also realize that not every little thing we think or do is a mortal sin. In your case, you were caught up in the moment and didn’t give complete consent to offend God. Seek out the advice of your priest as this will not be the only time in your life where this will come up. We are surrounded by sexual temptations and we need to discern when we really cross that line. Satan would not want anything more than for us to constantly think that we are separated from God. That gives him the elbow room that he seeks. God bless you… teachccd
 
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