Trying to be funny and using a "bad" word

[Kathrin]

This came to my mind while I was posting a reply to my other post about temptation.
I realized that, while I go to confession much more often when I am in the US (where the church I go to has scheduled confessions before masses), I haven’t been now - I am in my home coutnry, switzerland - since before Easter. Flying back to the US next week!

My OCD of course has now tried to make me remember sins I would have to confess before I go.

But here’s one I am really not sure about. I know I have made at least halfway" dirty" jokes before. I remember one time AFTER my confession that I came up with a rhyme and because it rhymed I used a not so nice word.

Would that be a mortal sin?

I never confessed it, and now I am anervous because of my trip and it would be anxiety-provoking to go to confession with somebody i don’t know… or make a special appointment with th priest who knows me,m it would be kind of short notice maybe and I don’t want to stress him again, have done that before …
Is it ok to wait?

 

[Kathrin]

I thought about deleting this again. But the “edit” icon is already gone.

I didn’t want to leave the impression that my preist here is somebody who gets stressed. I think that was the wrong word. He has been evry patient the few times I went to him with my questions, or to confession.

Maybe being on these boards isn’t too good for me. Maybe I stress people HERE with my questions! Reading about all this makes me think more, which may not be good.

On the other hand, I NEED to know what is a sin and what not, right?

I think this is just a stressful time for me, personally.

Kathrin

 

[DanteAlighieri]

You’re in luck – this very question was recently answered in the AAA forum!

The bottom line: using profanity isn’t in and of itself grave matter. It could become grave matter depending on the circumstances – i.e., verbally abusing someone or deliberately trying to scandalize or offend someone.

Remember, too, that the scrupulous are often told not to confess something if they are not certain it’s a mortal sin.

Enjoy your visit to the US of A!

Peace,
Dante

 

[Kathrin]

Remember, too, that the scrupulous are often told not to confess something if they are not certain it’s a mortal sin.

I was thinking of that too… Wondering if it could be so easy as just to apply this… Because I don’t have much of a doubt that I do indeed habe a scrupulous conscience.

Thanks!

 

[DanteAlighieri]

I was thinking of that too… Wondering if it could be so easy as just to apply this… Because I don’t have much of a doubt that I do indeed habe a scrupulous conscience.

Thanks!

I’d recommend finding a spiritual director with whom you can talk about this before simply applying that principle, however.

Peace,
Dante

 

[Teeliumtrozzle]

Just try to make nicer rhymes in future. I suggest you could write poetry about the saints and poetry that worships God.Maybe you could even write a hymn! I write hymns and trust me, its MUCH more fun then bad rhymes.If you feel you should go to confession, then do.

 

[Kathrin]

Very good advice, Teelium: Making nicer rhymes. Not that I usually make a lot of bad rhymes. Once ina while it’s tempting though, just trying to be funny… but then we need to remember that we are to give praise to God, and not our own funny little egos!!!

I do write spiritual poetry too. That one was more meant as a joke.

If you have read my thread about high anxiety, you’ll probably know by now that this right now for me is part of a stress/anxiety/OCD episode. I feel better now though. Ah, relief. God is good.

Kathrin

 

[MH84]

Kathrin, I was told that if someone tells you not to think of a pink elephant, an image of a pink elephant pops in your mind.

The more you think about not doing something, the more your mind, maybe influenced by the evil one, entertains that idea. I too often think that “maybe, this time I meant to think that bad thought in some way”, and then the feeling of guilt comes. This has happened to me a lot over the years and still does.

Sometimes we just need to turn to the mercy of God.

All the best in your battle with OCD, God knows and is with you.

 

[Magicsilence]

You’re in luck – this very question was recently answered in the AAA forum!

The bottom line: using profanity isn’t in and of itself grave matter. It could become grave matter depending on the circumstances – i.e., verbally abusing someone or deliberately trying to scandalize or offend someone.

Remember, too, that the scrupulous are often told not to confess something if they are not certain it’s a mortal sin.

Enjoy your visit to the US of A!

Peace,
Dante

Although I am not sure if this is referring to swearing with profanity, or swearing using God’s name, St John Chrysostom has some helpful advice:

For instance, if he, who has frequently sworn, once extirpates that satanic habit, he has not only gained this point, but a habit of piety in other respects will have been brought in. For no one, I suppose, averse to swearing would easily consent to do any other wicked act; he will feel a reverence for the virtue already acquired.

newadvent.org/fathers/210108.htm

In Jesus Christ,

 

[PeteZaHut]

, that the scrupulous are often told not to confess something if they are not certain it’s a mortal sin.

Are you sure? What harm would it do to just confess it? I am trying to contradict you. I also have trouble with OCD and a scrupulous conscience.

 

[Kathrin]

With OCD, it may be the worst thing to do to give in to a compulsion.
Because it reinforces the OCD.

Kathrin