Is it very hard, or very easy to commit a mortal sin?

Started by Bernadette, May 31, 2023, 06:23:41 AM

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Bernadette

I've heard both arguments, with some saying that it's very difficult to commit a mortal sin, since all three conditions must be met, and others saying it's very easy. What do you think?
My Lord and my God.
Ven. Matt Talbot, pray for Tom.


james03

I think the focus should be on the 3 conditions.  In my opinion it is closer to "hard" than "easy", but we all have committed them.

Really you just have a regular confession schedule and the priest will mention it if he decides to do it, and/or give you a talk about improving your life to avoid it in the future.  Don't do the priest's job, just do what he tells you to do.
"But he that doth not believe, is already judged: because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God (Jn 3:18)."

"All sorrow leads to the foot of the Cross.  Weep for your sins."

"Although He should kill me, I will trust in Him"

Bernadette

#3
Quote from: james03 on May 31, 2023, 10:26:56 AMI think the focus should be on the 3 conditions.  In my opinion it is closer to "hard" than "easy", but we all have committed them.

Really you just have a regular confession schedule and the priest will mention it if he decides to do it, and/or give you a talk about improving your life to avoid it in the future.  Don't do the priest's job, just do what he tells you to do.
My priest will never tell me if a sin is mortal or not. Last time I asked, he told me to trust that Jesus understands the difficulties of life. Which is true, of course, but wasn't very helpful.
My Lord and my God.
Ven. Matt Talbot, pray for Tom.

AlfredtheGreat

Quote from: Bernadette on May 31, 2023, 10:55:00 AM
Quote from: james03 on May 31, 2023, 10:26:56 AMI think the focus should be on the 3 conditions.  In my opinion it is closer to "hard" than "easy", but we all have committed them.

Really you just have a regular confession schedule and the priest will mention it if he decides to do it, and/or give you a talk about improving your life to avoid it in the future.  Don't do the priest's job, just do what he tells you to do.
My priest will never tell me if a sinks mortal or not. Last time I asked, he told me to trust that Jesus understands the difficulties of life. Which is true, of course, but wasn't very helpful.

Read the 5th chapter of Romans and then ask yourself if the peace that St. Paul describes can coincide with scruples.

The Lord is not waiting for a reason to send you to Hell.
These people are crazy

james03

QuoteMy priest will never tell me if a sin is mortal or not. Last time I asked, he told me to trust that Jesus understands the difficulties of life. Which is true, of course, but wasn't very helpful.

Explain to me how getting your sins forgiven wasn't helpful.
"But he that doth not believe, is already judged: because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God (Jn 3:18)."

"All sorrow leads to the foot of the Cross.  Weep for your sins."

"Although He should kill me, I will trust in Him"

james03

Quote from: 4 Kings 5And Eliseus sent a messenger to him, saying: Go, and wash seven times in the Jordan, and thy flesh shall recover health, and thou shalt be clean.

 11 Naaman was angry and went away, saying: I thought he would have come out to me, and standing would have invoked the name of the Lord his God, and touched with his hand the place of the leprosy, and healed me.  12 Are not the Abana, and the Pharphar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel, that I may wash in them, and be made clean? So as he turned, and was going away with indignation,  13 His servants came to him, and said to him: Father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, surely thou shouldst have done it: how much rather what he now hath said to thee: Wash, and thou shalt be clean?
"But he that doth not believe, is already judged: because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God (Jn 3:18)."

"All sorrow leads to the foot of the Cross.  Weep for your sins."

"Although He should kill me, I will trust in Him"

Bernadette

Quote from: james03 on May 31, 2023, 01:23:48 PM
QuoteMy priest will never tell me if a sin is mortal or not. Last time I asked, he told me to trust that Jesus understands the difficulties of life. Which is true, of course, but wasn't very helpful.

Explain to me how getting your sins forgiven wasn't helpful.
This wasn't in confession. This was me trying to figure out whether I needed to go to confession before receiving Communion.
My Lord and my God.
Ven. Matt Talbot, pray for Tom.

james03

Got it.  That one is a tricky one, though not bad if you don't have scruples.

I hate giving you this advice, because it will extend confession and the people waiting in line might find out I'm the one who told you, and so want to come kick my butt, but if it's something that you fall into a lot, ask the priest in the confessional, especially whether you could have received communion.  And don't do like regular scruples people do and tell a big story and list all the ramifications, because you don't want me getting my butt kicked.  So say this: "Father, I have scruples and want to know if I could have received communion because of X."  AND NOTHING MORE!  And when he tells you, your only reply is "Yes sir." AND NOTHING MORE.  Then follow his command with a clean conscience. 
"But he that doth not believe, is already judged: because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten Son of God (Jn 3:18)."

"All sorrow leads to the foot of the Cross.  Weep for your sins."

"Although He should kill me, I will trust in Him"

Michael Wilson

Bern,
go to Confession at least once a month or even better, every two weeks. Then, if the priests gives you absolution, go to Communion as often as possible.
Mortal Sins, easy or hard? Depends what kind of life you are living; a person living away from God and the practice of the faith, sins very easily, and almost without any remorse. A person who is trying to live a virtuous life, and examens their conscience daily, will do anything in their power not to offend God.
That doesn't mean that the second person doesn't experience sinful temptations, mostly against purity and charity (everyone's weak points); and doubts as to the extent of the guilt in resisting these. But this is part of our struggle as wayfarers on Earth and children of Adam & Eve. Through the struggle against temptation and sin, our virtues become more deeply ingrained, our detestation of sin, greater; and our determination to suffer anything rather than offend God, becomes habitual. 
"The World Must Conform to Our Lord and not He to it." Rev. Dennis Fahey CSSP

"My brothers, all of you, if you are condemned to see the triumph of evil, never applaud it. Never say to evil: you are good; to decadence: you are progess; to death: you are life. Sanctify yourselves in the times wherein God has placed you; bewail the evils and the disorders which God tolerates; oppose them with the energy of your works and your efforts, your life uncontaminated by error, free from being led astray, in such a way that having lived here below, united with the Spirit of the Lord, you will be admitted to be made but one with Him forever and ever: But he who is joined to the Lord is one in spirit." Cardinal Pie of Potiers

diaduit

Quote from: james03 on May 31, 2023, 01:54:40 PMGot it.  That one is a tricky one, though not bad if you don't have scruples.

I hate giving you this advice, because it will extend confession and the people waiting in line might find out I'm the one who told you, and so want to come kick my butt, but if it's something that you fall into a lot, ask the priest in the confessional, especially whether you could have received communion.  And don't do like regular scruples people do and tell a big story and list all the ramifications, because you don't want me getting my butt kicked.  So say this: "Father, I have scruples and want to know if I could have received communion because of X."  AND NOTHING MORE!  And when he tells you, your only reply is "Yes sir." AND NOTHING MORE.  Then follow his command with a clean conscience. 

I've done this a few times and more times than not, I was told no it was venial and once or twice a very friendly eye roll, head nod but once or twice it was mortal. 

Bernadette

Quote from: Michael Wilson on May 31, 2023, 01:59:30 PMBern,
Mortal Sins, easy or hard? Depends what kind of life you are living; a person living away from God and the practice of the faith, sins very easily, and almost without any remorse. A person who is trying to live a virtuous life, and examens their conscience daily, will do anything in their power not to offend God.
That doesn't mean that the second person doesn't experience sinful temptations, mostly against purity and charity (everyone's weak points); and doubts as to the extent of the guilt in resisting these. But this is part of our struggle as wayfarers on Earth and children of Adam & Eve. Through the struggle against temptation and sin, our virtues become more deeply ingrained, our detestation of sin, greater; and our determination to suffer anything rather than offend God, becomes habitual.
St. Therese wrote that it's impossible for a soul that wants to rest entirely in Jesus, to commit a sin so grave that it wouldn't be able to receive Him. She wrote this to her cousin Marie, who struggled with scruples. So I'm inclined to think that you're right.
My Lord and my God.
Ven. Matt Talbot, pray for Tom.

Jmartyr

I actually told my priest about the Father Doyle's "Scruples And their Treatment". Then I asked if I could follow it. He said yes. It actually says to receive Communion unless you are certain of mortal sin, as certain as 2+2 equals four. Father Cekada's( RIP) treatment of scruples says as much, or at least if you are not absolutely certain of mortal sin, receive Communion.
https://williedoyle.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/scruples-and-their-treatment.pdf

https://williedoyle.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/scruples-and-their-treatment.pdf
"If anyone is excommunicated it is not I, but the excommunicators." - Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre
" A false church cannot have a true mission." - St. Francis De Sales
" The way is open for us to deprive councils of their authority, contradict their acts freely, and profess confidently, whatever SEEMS to be true. " - Martin Luther

Bernadette

My Lord and my God.
Ven. Matt Talbot, pray for Tom.

Jmartyr

"If anyone is excommunicated it is not I, but the excommunicators." - Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre
" A false church cannot have a true mission." - St. Francis De Sales
" The way is open for us to deprive councils of their authority, contradict their acts freely, and profess confidently, whatever SEEMS to be true. " - Martin Luther