I can only agree that in any Western Society $10 may well not be a serious enough amount to consider grave matter. The disloyalty of the act against your brother may well make it grievous depending on the trust lost. Offer up a perfect act of contrition and get to confession asap. Silly thing to do. I hope you have learnt a lesson. Learn another about Jesus’s forgiveness asap.I’m not sure that stealing $10 would constitute grave matter. I mean, it’s a slimy thing to do, but unless the loss of that money caused your brother grave harm (or you stole the money with the intention of causing him serious injury), stealing it wouldn’t be grave matter.
Did that $10 keep him from having food for the week? Was he unable to pay his rent/mortgage, or purchase required books/materials for college? Was he unable to buy gas for his car, which kept him from getting to work, which caused him to lose his job? These would be just a few examples of how stealing would be grave matter.
Keep in mind, stealing that money is still a slimy thing to do to your brother. But that doesn’t make it a mortal sin.
Gertie
Exactly where did I imply that it was OK to steal?!The amount does not affect it. You are clutching at straws. Your advice to anyone should be even if you steal a penny get immediately to Confession instead of pussyfooting around it implying its okay to steal if the amounts are small.
Exactly where did I imply that it was OK to steal?!
I point out that the Catechism of the Catholic Church – not my opinion, but THE Catechism! – indicates that not all stealing is grave matter. You attack me because you don’t agree with the official teaching of the Church!
We are not called to be “more Catholic than the Pope.” And in observing Jesus’s condemnation of the Pharisees’ actions, we (should) know that we are NOT to build up heavy loads for others to carry.
Yes, encourage people to go to confession! But we are not being charitable to suggest that every sin is mortal and cause to be consumed with fear. Have you never noticed how many people come to these forums asking if this or that action was a mortal sin?? – often their first and only question asked! Ignorance and fear impede our love of God and growth in holiness.
The Truth may be a bit more complicated than the simple yes or no answer most people want. But we should never skirt the Truth as taught by the Catholic Church just for the sake of convenience.
Gertie