Q - What exactly qualifies as a mortal sin? According to a website I read, breaking any of the 10 Commandments along with a slew of other things is a grave sin? In this light, what if we've taken the Eucharist in mortal sin before without the prior knowledge that we weren't supposed to?
A - Thanks for the question.
For a sin to be mortal, it must meet the following criteria:
- The act must be grave (serious)
- Must be committed with full knowledge
- The sin must be committed with deliberate consent
If these conditions are not met, then the sin is venial - it "wounds" us.
While all sins are bad - mortal sins are deadly to us. Thus, the apostle John says:
"If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, he should pray to God and he will give him life. This is only for those whose sin is not deadly. There is such a thing as deadly sin, about which I do not say that you should pray. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly."Notice the distinction between those sins that kill us spiritually and those that do not.
- 1 John 5:16-17
St. Paul has several lists of sins that will keep us from heaven and are considered grave sins.
"Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."More:
- Galatians 5: 19-21
"Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor sodomites nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God."So, we can see that there are quite a few acts that are gravely immoral and are thus mortally sinful.
- 1 Cor 6: 9-10
Thus, breaking any of the Ten Commandments may be a mortal sin. But, we must understand that each of the three conditions must be met.
The Catechism says this about grave matter:
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."Now, if you were to receive Communion in the state of mortal sin, then it is very serious thing. But, if you did so out of ignorance, your culpability is lessened. The Catechism comments on this as well.
1860 "Unintentional ignorance can diminish or even remove the imputability of a grave offense. But no one is deemed to be ignorant of the principles of the moral law, which are written in the conscience of every man. The promptings of feelings and passions can also diminish the voluntary and free character of the offense, as can external pressures or pathological disorders. Sin committed through malice, by deliberate choice of evil, is the gravest."When in doubt about mortal sin - go to confession.
Also, when in doubt - do not receive the Eucharist.
I hope this helps.
Related Post:
**Is Confession To a Catholic Priest Necessary or Can You Go Straight To God?
5 comments:
Ok Marcel, I know I am going to get many people angry at me, but one part of your statement I disagree with. When in doubt do not receive the Eucharist. Actually, when in doubt, then do receive. Otherwise you are practicing a form of legalism. As sinners we need all the grace of God we can receive and we cannot be so cautious that we deny ourselves His grace. If you are in doubt that you committed a mortal sin, then mostly likely you did not because you have to know it is grave and have done it with a sufficient element of your will. I explain to penitents that this is basically saying, I don't care God about your will God, I am going to do this. You cannot accidentally do that and when you do, you have no question about it. If you are in doubt receive. Remember Jesus' teachings, It is mercy I desire and not sacrifice. If you prevent yourself from receiving when in doubt, you are denying yourself God's mercy in the name of sacrifice.
Father - I certainly am not angry at you for disagreeing and I understand your point. But, there is no obligation to receive the Eucharist.
Doubt can also be caused by someone who is rationalizing a sin.
Thanks Marcel, I can likewise see your point. As a confessor, I would see rationalizing as a real danger but almost a separate issue. This is one of the many reasons why confession is important because a good confessor can challenge rationalization. So, maybe a better idea is say to go confession regularly (I recommend monthly) and if you are in doubt about whether you committed a mortal sin, make sure you go to confession prior to attending mass.
I have no argument with that.
just wondered why you used the bible version that says "boy prostitutes" my second Catholic edition RSV says "homosexuals". (1 Cor 6-9)
Post a Comment