Would these be mortal sins?

[Ioana]

I’m asking for purposes to do with receiving the Eucharist. I’ve been told I’m scrupulous so I figured I’d ask for another opinion. I am essentially very young and very stupid. Sometimes I go through the following thought process

1. There’s another female in sight
2. That female seems insanely attractive to me
3. Could I look like that?
4. Sometimes there’s something going on like “I wish I had blue eyes”, “I wish I were at least as pretty as her”
5. After stealing another glance I conclude that “Yeah she’s pretty but she’s not this insanely pretty unattainable thing I’m making her out to be, I could look like that it’s all in my head I should stop worrying”

It occurred to me yesterday that this sounds a bit like envy. Is it that? If so is it a mortal sin in this context?

There was another event I was wondering about as well. I went to Mass on Saturday. Saturday evening I was walking around with my mother and she said she’d like to come with me to Mass Sunday. She’s not Catholic. I said “Great”. In my head I was thinking about how I really wouldn’t want her to come with me. I knew that was wrong though so I quickly started thinking more about why I don’t want her to come with me and if that is a sin and all. I didn’t mind her going to Mass, I just kinda minded her coming with me. I told her things like “There’s this routine though with people replying and stuff that is probably not what you are used to but just follow along”. I ended up saying “You don’t need to come if you don’t want to, you don’t need to come just because you want to spend time with me.” at which she replied, “Yeah I probably won’t come.” The next morning I asked her again and she said she’d go see a friend to say goodbye (said friend is likely to not be seen for a long time). I then concluded that there’s no way our interaction last Saturday and my conduct during it constitutes a mortal sin and did receive the Eucharist but now I’m worried about it again a bit.

So am I just overthinking things or are any of these two mortal sins or sins at all? Thanks in advance

 

[Cthompson]

I’m asking for purposes to do with receiving the Eucharist. I’ve been told I’m scrupulous so I figured I’d ask for another opinion.

Excellent! Too many Catholics are indifferent when it comes to receiving the Eucharist.

There’s another female in sight

Could I look like that?

I could look like that

“I wish I were at least as pretty as her”

emphasis mine
Is this a struggle with same-sex attraction (SSA)? That would be another issue.

And, I would advise you to consult your confessor on this issue.

In my opinion, and from looking at what you have said, no, this does not appear to be a mortal sin. If you cannot get this person out of your mind and continually think about them and picture being with them, that is something different. Once that person occupies your thinking and you begin obsessing over them, you cross a boundary. As far as being envious, do not confuse the deadly sin of envy with admiration. There is nothing wrong with looking at someone and admiring their good looks or attributes. Once you begin to desire their attributes and looks for yourself in a lustful manner (potentially at their harm or wishing them harm), then that has become envy.

I went to Mass on Saturday.

Good!

this routine though with people replying and stuff

I probably would have defined the Mass a little differently, but…

there’s no way our interaction last Saturday and my conduct during it constitutes a mortal sin

You are right; this (uninviting your mom to Mass) does not seem to be a grave matter.

Conclusion: address the attractiveness issue. Do not beat yourself up over this issue but do not take it lightly either. Use good prudent Catholic judgment and you will know when you have gone too far. Also, make it up to your mother by inviting her to Mass this weekend!

God bless.

 

[Ioana]

Cheers for the reply. I wouldn’t say I have lustful thoughts to those other girls. I’d say it’s more to do with me being a bit insecure but I don’t hate them or wish them harm when I think those sorts of things either. As for my mother, you’re right we’re a bit rocky. I already asked if she’d like to come tomorrow (it is All Saints after all). Anyhow thanks again for the reply it really calmed me down.

 

[Cthompson]

Anyhow thanks again for the reply it really calmed me down.

AMDG my friend!