What does NOT constitute grave matter?

[JChapel]

I’ve been having a little trouble with this one, because I asked the opposite question a while back and the answer seemed to boil down to “anything that is covered by the 10 commandments”. I guess the problem is that I can’t think of many sins that wouldn’t be covered by them. Am I missing something? Perhaps examples of what wouldn’t be grave matter would help too.

 

[Monica4316]

often non-grave matter is related to the 10 Commandments somehow but lessened compared to grave matter. For example: having a disagreement with someone: non grave matter. Losing control, acting on your anger, and having a fight: could be grave matter. Or: saying a “white lie” , vs: a serious lie that hurts someone.

At the end of the day, sin is sin, and we need to remember that venial sin also offends God. Lying, anger, etc, - all that offends God. Grave matter refers to actions that offend God so greatly that we actually leave the state of grace and need Confession. Venial sins need forgiveness too because they are also offenses, but - they don’t strictly require Confession to a priest.

God bless

 

[thistle]

I’ve been having a little trouble with this one, because I asked the opposite question a while back and the answer seemed to boil down to “anything that is covered by the 10 commandments”. I guess the problem is that I can’t think of many sins that wouldn’t be covered by them. Am I missing something? Perhaps examples of what wouldn’t be grave matter would help too.

Venial matter!

 

[Bookcat]

I’ve been having a little trouble with this one, because I asked the opposite question a while back and the answer seemed to boil down to “anything that is covered by the 10 commandments”. I guess the problem is that I can’t think of many sins that wouldn’t be covered by them. Am I missing something? Perhaps examples of what wouldn’t be grave matter would help too.

Your confusion then is understandable. Yes all the 10 commandments involve grave matter…but yes also true that not everything that falls under the 10 commandments is grave.

There can thus be a venial sin of say lying…next to the mortal sin of lying in court …

Or of stealing something that would be a venial sin…next to theft of a car…

(On the other hand…a girlfriend and boyfriend can not say “oh it is just a small sin against chastity”…for in that case it is not going to be venial matter.)

And of course let us avoid sin…especially fully deliberate ones…

 

[Bookcat]

Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI

1. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

1. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

 

[JChapel]

Your confusion then is understandable. Yes all the 10 commandments involve grave matter…but yes also true that not everything that falls under the 10 commandments is grave.

There can thus be a venial sin of say lying…next to the mortal sin of lying in court …

Or of stealing something that would be a venial sin…next to theft of a car…

(On the other hand…a girlfriend and boyfriend can not say “oh it is just a small sin against chastity”…for in that case it is not going to be venial matter.)

And of course let us avoid sin…especially fully deliberate ones…

Thanks, that really helped clear up the confusion I was having.