What exactly is grave matter?

[jeanne71350]

Hi everyone,

I suffer from scrupulosity, and I get very confused as to exactly what constitutes grave matter of a sin. I heard once to use the 10 Commandments as a guide, but I’m not exactly sure what that means, and I often confuse myself. Can someone give me some advice as to what exactly grave matter means?

Thanks

J

 

[Bookcat]

Hi everyone,

I suffer from scrupulosity, and I get very confused as to exactly what constitutes grave matter of a sin. I heard once to use the 10 Commandments as a guide, but I’m not exactly sure what that means, and I often confuse myself. Can someone give me some advice as to what exactly grave matter means?

Thanks

J

Catechism:

1858 Grave matter is specified by the Ten Commandments, corresponding to the answer of Jesus to the rich young man: "Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and your mother."132 The gravity of sins is more or less great: murder is graver than theft. One must also take into account who is wronged: violence against parents is in itself graver than violence against a stranger.

All the 10 commandments have things in them that are grave…(and also usually things that are venial too…)

Grave matter are things like:

Euthanasia
Lust
Adultery
Murder
Abortion
Lying under oath in court
Deliberate desire to murder
Missing Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation Mass (without excusing reason or dispensation)
Theft (not stealing a pen…but robbing a bank)
Deliberately desiring grave harm to a someone
Contraception
Blasphemy (directing hatred toward God…etc)
Pornography
Fornication
Burning down someones house
Satanism
Witchcraft/Occult things
Worshiping and Idol or false God
etc etc…

It will be important for you to have a “regular confessor” in dealing with your difficulty.

 

[Sum_Fidelis]

Well,you did get a short list of what is a “grave matter”. I am not here to judge,and I am sure that the answers others then I give is very likely better. But steeling a pen is against the law,go figure,and therefor we can’t exclude that one either. The criminal law in Finland says very clear that it is petty theft,and as such a thing you actually can end up in court for.
And my advice: a grave matter is everything Jesus would not do. Go with that,OK,if you are married,sex is not a grave matter but in other things yes. God bless you.

 

[Bookcat]

Well,you did get a short list of what is a “grave matter”. I am not here to judge,and I am sure that the answers others then I give is very likely better. But steeling a pen is against the law,go figure,and therefor we can’t exclude that one either. The criminal law in Finland says very clear that it is petty theft,and as such a thing you actually can end up in court for.
And my advice: a grave matter is everything Jesus would not do. Go with that,OK,if you are married,sex is not a grave matter but in other things yes. God bless you.

Stealing a pen is not “objectively” a grave matter in ordinary circumstances… (If for example it was a sold gold pen…well that is a different story)

As for the advice of “grave matter is everything that Jesus would not do” such would be advice I would not recommend. Jesus did not sin at all. * Jesus would not do all sorts of venial sins*.

While yes we should follow Jesus …and conform ourselves to him etc…(and of course seek to avoid all sins) …such advice though well intentioned (coming from a Love for Christ and life I imagine centered on him) such advice would open the door wide to scruples and to the confusion as to what is venial sin and what is mortal sin.

 

[Bookcat]

Catechism:

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P6C.HTM

Compendium (issued by Pope Benedict XVI)

1. How are sins distinguished according to their gravity?

1854

A distinction is made between mortal and venial sin.

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.

 

[Gaelwynn]

Grave sins are those with greater weight or gravity. The graveness of a sin is a relative matter.

I had a very scrupulous conscience that interfered with my spiritual growth. It lead me to focus on not doing bad instead of doing good. I felt a need to be perfect. Eventually, through prayer and reflective study of the Scriptures, I came to realize I was trying to earn what could only be obtained as a grace from God. My scrupulousness was truly rooted in my pride. When I let go and resolved to do the best I could and allow Jesus to make up the difference, I began to understand his promise that he came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.

A good spiritual director can help you with scrupulousness. You may also find the Jesuit spiritual exercises to be helpful.