Some info about venial sin

[DMC12]

i have this doubt about a venial sin.

I sometimes feel like i really need to understand what I did, which of course is not really that hard, but sometimes when confused by something else it seems harder. so my question is, do i have to meditate on what did i just do, or just move on and try to not commit anymore, i personally think this is the one since i don’t see people so abstracted on their toughts all the time like this would make it.

 

[Joe_5859]

I’d probably talk to a priest about it. I think the advice will vary depending upon the person.

In general, I’ve often seen recommended the spiritual practice of a daily examination of conscience before bed. It can help us to reflect back on the day and identify those moments where we fell short. If we don’t reflect, it can be much easier to overlook those shortcomings.

If someone suffers from scrupulosity, though, they would probably need to do something a bit different so as not to get fixated on the sins and be unable to move forward.

 

[Mary_Ellen]

It’s a little hard to understand your question but I’ll give it a shot: don’t dwell on your sin. Move on and try not to do it again. If it bothers you, confess it and make a firm commitment to amend your way of life.

Dwelling on our sins is a trick of the evil one, pulling our focus off God and onto ourselves. This problem is especially experienced by those afflicted by scrupulosity. The remedy is to trust completely in the love and mercy of God.

 

[GratefulLeper]

Hello I agree you should probably talk to a priest about this issue. Have you given thought to finding a spiritual director?

That being said, it is not good to dwell on sin. Remember Lot’s wife who looked back. Likewise we need to cultivate an attitude where we are gentle towards our imperfections. Learn from them, yes, but move on in a gentle and tenderhearted way.

This website has some great quotes in it: oblates.org/dss/francis/thoughts.php

One of my favorites: “Lift your heart up gently whenever it falls. Humble yourself before God, but do not be astonished by your fall since it is not surprising that weakness is weak, frailty is frail and misery is miserable!” St. Francis de Sales.

Gentleness is such a powerful thing. When the Holy Spirit does tell us to change our behavior, He does so in a gentle way. Likewise, we must strive to be gentle with all, and above all, ourselves.

Also, remember when it comes to venial sin, the Penitential Rite in the beginning of Mass erases venial sin, as does receiving the Eucharist

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

i have this doubt about a venial sin.

I sometimes feel like i really need to understand what I did, which of course is not really that hard, but sometimes when confused by something else it seems harder. so my question is, do i have to meditate on what did i just do, or just move on and try to not commit anymore, i personally think this is the one since i don’t see people so abstracted on their toughts all the time like this would make it.

I’m not entirely certain what you mean, but I will try to answer as best as I can.

When we sin, usually there is an underlying reason why we sinned. For example, someone might tell a lie, which is a sin, but there is usually and underlying reason of why someone lied. For example, they lied because they wanted to escape embarrassment, which would be caused by pride. To not lie again in that, or a similar circumstance, they would need to work on the opposing virtue, which is humility. It is also more helpful to state this when confessing a sin. Telling a priest you lied, doesn’t really tell him much about your sin, but telling him you lied because you were too proud and wanted to escape embarrassment gives him something to work with.

This is something which is easiestly done when one does his daily examination of consciences before bed (to know where he messed up and how) and again in the morning (to remind him and ask for help to not fall into the same sin again during the day. Doing this also makes the examination of conscience before confession a lot easier.