When in Mortal Sin

[Job42]

When waiting a day or two (or more) to go to confession for a mortal sin, is it okay to make jokes, laugh, smile, be happy, etc., or should one conduct oneself with an air of sadness and seriousness?

 

[domandcarols]

Depends on what the mortal sin is…
This is an interesting question, I’ve never actually thought about this. xD

 

[divinefaith]

Of course we can laugh. If we intend on confessing what’s there to be miserable about?

 

[Tietjen]

When waiting a day or two (or more) to go to confession for a mortal sin, is it okay to make jokes, laugh, smile, be happy, etc., or should one conduct oneself with an air of sadness and seriousness?

If one wishes to draw attention to oneself then one can behave “sad” whenever he/she sins. Otherwise, simply behave normally. Forcing sadness or worse, faking being sad to communicate humbleness and/or a desire for repentance is a charade. It does nothing toward absolution. Simply go to confession. If confession is only on Saturdays and today is only Monday, and the sin disturbs you, call and make an appointment with a priest to hear your confession before Saturday. Or find a parish that offers confession during the weekdays as well. I can’t imagine that God would be impressed with our sadness.

 

[willofgods]

Ecclesiastes 7:3-4 & 16, then Matt 6:1 & 16-18 (verses 16-18 with a few adjustments in italics…up to you if they are appropriate.)

Sorrow is better than laughter, for a sad face brings healing to the soul.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, while the heart of the fool is in the house of feasting. …]
Do not be over-righteous or excessively wise, lest you harm yourself.

Be careful not to make a show of your righteousness before people. If you do so, you do not gain anything from your Father in heaven. …]
When you -]fast/-] do penance, do not put on a miserable face as do the hypocrites. They put on a gloomy face, so people can see they are -]fasting/-] doing penance. I tell you this: they have been paid in full already.
When you -]fast/-] do penance, wash your face and make yourself look cheerful, (i.e., carry on looking as you would any other day)
because you are not -]fasting/-] doing penance for appearances or for people, but for your Father who sees beyond appearances. And your Father, who sees what is kept secret will reward you.

I don’t think GOD cares so much about what air you put about yourself, as much as HE cares about what’s in your heart. If you feel sadness and seriousness, take it as a cue, not to wallow in those feelings, but to do something fruitful: do good deeds, read Scripture, pray.
Laugh when you’re with your friends and family, but when you are alone examine your conscience; figure out the context of your mortal sin so that you might avoid any future occasions for you to fall back out of a state of Grace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 4

There is a given time for everything and a time for every happening under heaven: A time for tears, a time for laughter; a time for mourning, a time for dancing.

 

[Blenderx]

When waiting a day or two (or more) to go to confession for a mortal sin, is it okay to make jokes, laugh, smile, be happy, etc., or should one conduct oneself with an air of sadness and seriousness?

Make an act of perfect contrition, as well as you are able, with the firm intention of getting to confession as soon as you are able, and then walk in God’s mercy. No need to put on airs one way or the other. We should be solicitous for the state of our souls, but we are also and firstly a people of hope.

 

[1ke]

Do you perhaps tend towards scrupulosity? This is something to discuss with your priest. You are overly obsessing.

 

[Bookcat]

Make an act of perfect contrition, as well as you are able, with the firm intention of getting to confession as soon as you are able, and then walk in God’s mercy. No need to put on airs one way or the other. We should be solicitous for the state of our souls, but we are also and firstly a people of hope.

Draw close to Jesus in prayer…he is the Good Shepherd…

 

[Bookcat]

Seek out confession as soon as one can…

 

[Magnavox]

The main issue I struggle with here is this…

If we are intending on going to confession Saturday afternoon when its available, but we have a heart attack and die Friday morning.

What happens to the soul? Please state references. Thank you.