Receive the Eucharist before penance?

[AdriannaJean]

Hey Everyone,

I was confronted with an odd situation yesterday and now I’m unsure what to do about it. I went to confession Saturday evening and the penance I was given was to do a service for a person in need. I plan on taking a homeless person out to lunch tomorrow.

I was absolved during confession so not in a state of mortal sin, but does absolution only “kick in” so to speak, when the penance is done? Or am I ok to receive the Eucharist before the penance is done, as long as I have the intention of doing it?

 

[acadian]

Absolution does not depend on completing your penance. You are absolved when you are absolved. Of course your penance should be completed as soon as possible.

 

[cam100]

That’s right - absolution takes place at the time of confession, and does not actually depend upon the fulfillment of the penance.

Even if you refused to do your penance, that would not affect the forgiveness of your previous sins in confession, although it would constitute a new sin in itself.