Venial or Mortal Sin

[HisIsTheCrown]

The thing is it doesnt matter what the credit card company does or does not do to get a card. The fact that I lied about my income is what is important here. I know it was a lie, the problem I was having was is it a venial or mortal sin. I did go to confession on Saturday and needless to say the priest did not sound happy about what I did, do I blame him, of course not. When I asked him what I should do he said it was up to me. So I am not going to return it, but one thing I know for sure is I WILL NOT DO IT AGAIN until I am back to work. I am going to pay off the $24.27 when the bill comes in. The priest told me he could not tell me what to do. I was so itimidated by what he said I was still upset even by the time I got home. I didnt even finish telling him the other things I wanted to say. All he said was a sin is a sin it doesnt matter if it was venial or mortal and that he was going to absolve me. I only went because I was not sure if it was a venial or mortal and I wanted to be able to receive the sacraments on Sunday. I know that if was a Mortal sin I would not have been able to receive the sacraments on Sunday.

I am looking at this learning experience with a positive spin. Maybe this was meant to happen since I had did something similar a month ago or so, but I did not apply for any card I already had the credit card, I just bought something I probably shouldnt have. I guess this is what you call the “Fear of God”. Because it has definetly put the “Fear of God” in me not to do this again.

Also just for curiosity, if you discuss your confession with someone is that a sin?

Judy

No, whomever you discuss your confession is not a sin.
Now, I am hearing your version of the story, I am missing the priest’s version, which he may not tell me.
That was weird and surreal to say the least. When someone gets very much power he may get out of touch. And priests have very much power at confessions.
And they may get tires. Confession is a very much tiring job . Once, one, who should be exhausted, started to shout at me saying I was kidding with him for I did not know when I went to confession last. I thought he wanted an exact date and he wanted an approximate date. I got incensed and I told him that it would be better to end the confession there, before starting. He calmed down and all went well up to the end. So, sometimes, confessions may go in an uneasy way.

Now:

1. “The thing is it doesnt matter what the credit card company does or does not do to get a card.” - Funny…Why?
2. “I lied about my income” - again, you lied ? Let’s be extreme. What about if the Credit Card Company asked about your sexual orientation as the companies do when hiring people. Was the Company entitled to the info? In you told you were XXX though you were YYY, were you lying ?
3. " I was so itimidated by what he said I was still upset even by the time I got home." - Jesus presence always gave PEACE not fear. Read the Gospels. Read the apparitions of OUR LADY. She came for peace not to install fear like a ghost.
4. “When I asked him what I should do he said it was up to me.” Funny, no? I studied in a Catholic School and we spent hours solving problems like: “If a christian faces this problem, what should he do ?”. Hours. Now, a priest is not happy but does not know what to do. Judy, you forgot that if the priest is happy or not does not matter. It is Jesus who forgives through the priest. The important thing is whether Jesus is happy.
5. The priest who was my moral teacher, always knew what to do. "The priest told me he could not tell me what to do. " - this is funny. Once, I remember in one of those memorable classes, we had to solve the problem of finding a baby in the snow and how to baptize him. Look, there is no snow here. I am fond of those classes !
6. "“Fear of God”. - Yes, we should have for He is the Only One. But what about the Love of God, Judy ?

You are a terribly sensitive woman (am I wrong that you are a woman?) and you focus only the negative points here for fear.
What about the Jesus who was scolded for dining with prostitutes, who forgave the Good Thief for real crimes, the adulterous woman, all the sinners He forgave with moving Love. What about those, Judy?

 

[Edmundus1581]

…Also just for curiosity, if you discuss your confession with someone is that a sin?

No. The priest is bound by the seal of the confessional, but the penitent is not. Only the ordinary senses of confidentiality and respect for persons are applicable.

 

[InLight247]

When I asked him what I should do he said it was up to me. … The priest told me he could not tell me what to do. I was so itimidated by what he said I was still upset even by the time I got home.
Judy

I am not sure what upsets you. Are you upset because he left the choice to you? Or are you upset because he did not tell you if the sin is venial or mortal?

The priest is right, a lie is a lie regardless it is venial or mortal. And we are encouraged to confess venial sins. Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa confessed weekly, if not more often than that. Saints all confess their imperfections. The sacrament of confession is powerful in helping us get purified and reach holiness.

 

[Judy57]

No, whomever you discuss your confession is not a sin.
Now, I am hearing your version of the story, I am missing the priest’s version, which he may not tell me.
That was weird and surreal to say the least. When someone gets very much power he may get out of touch. And priests have very much power at confessions.
And they may get tires. Confession is a very much tiring job . Once, one, who should be exhausted, started to shout at me saying I was kidding with him for I did not know when I went to confession last. I thought he wanted an exact date and he wanted an approximate date. I got incensed and I told him that it would be better to end the confession there, before starting. He calmed down and all went well up to the end. So, sometimes, confessions may go in an uneasy way.

Now:

1. “The thing is it doesnt matter what the credit card company does or does not do to get a card.” - Funny…Why?
2. “I lied about my income” - again, you lied ? Let’s be extreme. What about if the Credit Card Company asked about your sexual orientation as the companies do when hiring people. Was the Company entitled to the info? In you told you were XXX though you were YYY, were you lying ?
3. " I was so itimidated by what he said I was still upset even by the time I got home." - Jesus presence always gave PEACE not fear. Read the Gospels. Read the apparitions of OUR LADY. She came for peace not to install fear like a ghost.
4. “When I asked him what I should do he said it was up to me.” Funny, no? I studied in a Catholic School and we spent hours solving problems like: “If a christian faces this problem, what should he do ?”. Hours. Now, a priest is not happy but does not know what to do. Judy, you forgot that if the priest is happy or not does not matter. It is Jesus who forgives through the priest. The important thing is whether Jesus is happy.
5. The priest who was my moral teacher, always knew what to do. "The priest told me he could not tell me what to do. " - this is funny. Once, I remember in one of those memorable classes, we had to solve the problem of finding a baby in the snow and how to baptize him. Look, there is no snow here. I am fond of those classes !
6. "“Fear of God”. - Yes, we should have for He is the Only One. But what about the Love of God, Judy ?

You are a terribly sensitive woman (am I wrong that you are a woman?) and you focus only the negative points here for fear.
What about the Jesus who was scolded for dining with prostitutes, who forgave the Good Thief for real crimes, the adulterous woman, all the sinners He forgave with moving Love. What about those, Judy?

Basically I just wanted to know if it was venial or mortal because if it was venial I would be forgiven on Sunday Mass. If it was mortal I would not be able to received the sacraments and would have to wait for confession. I usually go to confession once a month to confess my sins even though we are forgiven at Mass. I have a difficult time trying to decided if a sin is venial or mortal. I was hoping he would at least give me choses or give me an idea on what to do. I have read the 3 ways to tell if a sin is mortal but for some reason I dont get it . I have only recently come back to the catholic church back in February of this year after being away for more than 20 years. I went to a catholic school during my younger years, we always had to go to church on Sunday but I never really paid any attention to the mass.

I believe the priest was upset because I had asked for funds to help me financial, then go and lie about income to buy a skirt. Granted he was right, I dont think I will do that again. Here is the other part of it. I have credit cards I got before I was laid-off and need to use them for good reasons. I hope that will be ok with God
Basically I feel like I am starting all over again. My family all live in another state and when I have a question it is always so hard to get ahold of anyone or even an answer. I have found someone that is really spiritual and knowledgeable but I have to go to her gift shop to speak with her. I have been told I am scrupulous, but I also feel that lack of understanding also plays a big part as well. Yes I am very sensitive .

So all in all, all is good. It is so hard to do the right thing, my biggest problem is I have no patients .

 

[Veronica97]

I cannot for certain say whether it was mortal or venial sin–I have trouble figuring that out myself sometimes. It was likely a venial sin but it was weighing on your conscience and so going to confession was a good thing. It’s not so much the lie about your income (although we shouldn’t ever lie), but it was the fact that you had just gotten assistance with your utility bill. If we look at things in light of whether or not they are loving (charitable) to others, then it wasn’t a charitable thing to do. If you haven’t worn the skirt I’d take it back. If you have, then you have already gone to confession and resolved not to do this again so you are fine. I get most of my wardrobe at Goodwill or Mission Stores, even though I am financially able to get my clothes elsewhere. I like saving money and I know that I am also contributing to worthwhile organizations. I think you could have gotten a very nice skirt at Goodwill for 1/4 the cost of the skirt you got. Don’t beat yourself up about it though. And welcome back to the Church! I never left the Church but I didn’t practice my Faith very well for a number of years. So I’m “back” too and I have become scrupulous. I am wondering if God may want us to be “super sensitive” for awhile in order that we may understand the ugliness of sin and to make sure that we don’t go back to being lax like we were before. Hopefully, in His time we will be free (or at least lessened) of this condition. God bless.

 

[Edmundus1581]

**So all in all, all is good. ** It is so hard to do the right thing, my biggest problem is I have no patients .

I’m glad to hear that Going to confession is always gives us a lift, even if we don’t get our questions answered as well as we might want (although I mostly find that the confessor answers my question well).

Welcome to CAF!

 

[HisIsTheCrown]

Basically I just wanted to know if it was venial or mortal because if it was venial I would be forgiven on Sunday Mass. If it was mortal I would not be able to received the sacraments and would have to wait for confession. I usually go to confession once a month to confess my sins even though we are forgiven at Mass. I have a difficult time trying to decided if a sin is venial or mortal. I was hoping he would at least give me choses or give me an idea on what to do. I have read the 3 ways to tell if a sin is mortal but for some reason I dont get it . I have only recently come back to the catholic church back in February of this year after being away for more than 20 years. I went to a catholic school during my younger years, we always had to go to church on Sunday but I never really paid any attention to the mass.

I believe the priest was upset because I had asked for funds to help me financial, then go and lie about income to buy a skirt. Granted he was right, I dont think I will do that again. Here is the other part of it. I have credit cards I got before I was laid-off and need to use them for good reasons. I hope that will be ok with God
Basically I feel like I am starting all over again. My family all live in another state and when I have a question it is always so hard to get ahold of anyone or even an answer. I have found someone that is really spiritual and knowledgeable but I have to go to her gift shop to speak with her. I have been told I am scrupulous, but I also feel that lack of understanding also plays a big part as well. Yes I am very sensitive .

So all in all, all is good. It is so hard to do the right thing, my biggest problem is I have no patients .

Forget about knowing whether something is mortal or venial sin. No one knows. when someone invents a sin-meter, then we can put it in the conscience (where is it) and it tells you whether it is a mortal or venial sin. Up to then, forget about it.
Look, the 3 conditions for being a mortal sin is: 1) grave matter; 2) full consciousness; 3) full consent. If the 1st is easy to guess the 2nd and 3rd are almost impossible. You would need to be a person of outstanding balance and very bad to fully consent on something you conscientiously know to be against the will of Go.
We are weak: “I do what I do not want and I do not do what I want!” (St. Paul). Even St. Paul was doing things that he did not want to do…and he had a devil that punished him, and he wanted to get rid of him (some say it was a sexual nuisance) and God told him: “My grace is enough!”
I would advise you to not to lose your time thinking whether it is a mortal sin or not. It is heartbreaking, exhausting and leads nowhere.
Today, a new theology talks about “fundamental choice”. what is your fundamental choice: pro or against God? You may go to LA or New York. If you go to New York you may get lost a few times but in the end you want to go to NY and you will reach there.
You sure have chosen God, from your talk. You are worried by the thought of offending Him. You may get lost sometimes for sheer weakness but you love God and he knows you love Him. It is not because you got lost in Atlanta Airport and lost thee flight that you are going to hell. You got lost, you catch the next flight, you arrive late but you will receive from God the same reward as the ones who reached earlier as Jesus said in the parable of the workers of the vineyard.
You are leading an exemplary life, confessing every month, going to mass every Sunday, going to communion. You are better than me.
The priest was upset for he was tired. It is none of his business to be upset. The sin is against God not against him. I tell you a story. I knew of a very scrupulous priest. His mass would last for 3 hours for he had to be certain that every word was pronounced correctly so he came back on each word 3/5 times so that he would be sure that the mass was valid. I visited prisoners as part of my christian life. We brought this priest to hear the prisoners’ confession. Next time, the prisoners said: "Thanks fopr bringing the priest but this one, never again! when we say a little sin, he starts shouting: “The world is lost! You are going to hell! Oh! What a sin! Are not you ashamed! And so on and on!” Of course, I do not believe the prisoners’ sins be so small but the priest’s reaction was scrupulous. So, let the priest say what he wants, discern what is good for you and receive Christ’s pardon. And do not deal on the priest’s words any more. Do you realize that jesus Christ did not do any “sermon” to the sinners when he forgave sins? The maximum was “Do not sin again!” I think that that should be an example for the priests.
I knew of a priest who never said anything after hearing the sins. He was handicapped and could not walk, his job was to hear confessions. He could stay for hours on confession hearing 800 confessions a day. Everybody loved him for he did not preach. He just forgave.

I think you are right on the right path. But look on Jesus as the Love who asks us to love Him and our brothers and sisters and do good. Forget about the little details that keep your energy inside you and spread the love you get from God towards your needy brothers and sisters. Then, you fulfill God’s wishes: “Love one another as I loved you!”

 

[Mijoy2]

Hi all,

Today I was with a friend for lunch and I met her at Macy’s. When I was walking through the store I saw a skirt that I really liked that was 65% off.
Is this a venial sin or a mortal sin? Judy57

If the skirt is 65% off, I’d be more concerned about a modesty issue then a financial one.

Dumb joke I know