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brian
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| Location: | Chicago South Burbs, Illinois USA |
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| First Name: | brian | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | methodist, evangelical, anglican, catholic |
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Posted: Wed Mar 28th, 2007 01:22 pm |
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I often wonder why almost everyone gets up to receive at communion when there are so many teachings that those who are in certain sin should not receive. I should not jusge people, but I have seen people receive who are probably co-habitating, and I wouldthink a lto of people receive who missed a week of mass and did not go to confession.
Anyway, my question is that since I so poorly understand mortal sin I worry I will not know for sure if there are times I should not receive. Is it a sin to not receive if you are in any doubt until you go to confession? Is it ok and fullfilling your obligation to go to mass and not receive the sacrament?
What if I receive but really am not sure that I am in good standing but am probably just being paranoid? is it ok then to receive since I am not really legitimately worried? I guess my fear is that my scrupulosity will make me afraid of receiving the sacrament, like I am going to be hit by lightning or something.
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CajunRick
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Posted: Wed Mar 28th, 2007 02:09 pm |
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Brian, remember the conditions for a mortal sin. It must be a grave evil that you commit knowingly and willingly. You can't "accidentally" commit a mortal sin. If you're not sure, give yourself the benefit of the doubt and go to communion. Mention it to the priest the next time you go to confession, and he'll help to clarify it for you and give you a better understanding of what it takes to make a sin "mortal".
As for others, they may well be blaspheming by receiving the Eucharist unworthily, but that's not for you to judge. Pray for them.
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Steven Barrett
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Posted: Mon Apr 2nd, 2007 05:32 pm |
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 If memory serves me right, a person should not go up to the altar for Communion if he or she has been in argument before heading off to Mass, or did/said something really bad, even accidently, in the heat of things and no confession has been made in between. As Rick mentioned, mortal sin is a deliberate act, and I'm not sure if a quick tempered GD-it upon stubbing one's toe, or given in a sharp, but not-well thought out snappish reply, or getting cut off on the road to Mass would fall under the Mortal heading.
If however, you're planning on doing something dastardly to your boss the next day that violates ethical considerations, no matter how justified you feel the desired action will be, it's Mortal because of the deliberative aspect.
However, remember what Jesus said about coming to the Temple with clean hands. Of course He was also alluding to clean thoughts as well.
If in doubt, stay put. That way you're not violating the Spirit of Communion by receiving it under dubious conditions. Unfortunately, this cautionary notion has never caught on with many, if not most, pro-abortion Catholic pols. That's just plain gall and shamelessness. They're too old to feint any claims of "vague ambiguities," etc. About the only pro-abortion rights Catholic pol is Tom Ridge who's defended the Church's right to exercise Her duty and deny him the Sacrament. He even defended Bishop O'Connell of Springfield's decision not to shake his hand upon receiving the JFK award from the Holyoke St. Patrick's Day Parade Cmte. a couple of years ago.
Too bad Ridge's example isn't followed more regularly.
Kinda funny, but it used to be easy to find out which husband wound up in his wife's doghouse when she went up to receive Communion and he stayed put, or didn't attend the same Mass.
Like I said above, when it doubt, stay put. But say some extra prayers of contrition -- personal ones, especially "catered" to fit the occasion and nature of the sin you're unsure of. (Former evangelical Protestants should have no problem with this little task. Evangelicals are the champs when it comes to ad hoc prayer giving! And I mean it as a compliment -- unless it runs too long!)
And, won't it be great when you walk out of confession after hearing the words "Your sins are forgiven," BUT don't forget the "go and sin no more" ending! (After all, Jesus' death on the Cross doesn't give us a carte-blanche free license to commit future sins.)
NOW you can receive Communion with a good conscience, just don't peek around to see who's sitting because he's in the doghouse! 
____________________
James Michael Curley to a young Thomas “Tip” O’Neill -- “Son, it’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”
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brian
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| First Name: | brian | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | methodist, evangelical, anglican, catholic |
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 02:17 am |
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it seems that last two posts just gave the exact oppostie advice.
though both of you see to reassure me that mortal sin is not incidental and i should not be so quick to worry i have committed one unless something really stands out.
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CajunRick
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 02:36 am |
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brian wrote: it seems that last two posts just gave the exact oppostie advice.
Yes, actually, we did. You should not receive communion if you are in a state of mortal sin. It is my opinion, since knowledge of the sin is a requirement for a sin to be mortal, that you can't commit a mortal sin unless you know it is a mortal sin. Therefore, in my opinion, your doubt proves it is not mortal. If you're really not sure, you should discuss it with a priest rather than receive the sacrament unworthily.
I know you are having trouble judging what is a mortal sin and what isn't, and I'm afraid if you wait until you are certain, because of your uncertainties, the only way you will receive communion is if you can go to confession right before mass.
There are three conditions necessary for a sin to be mortal: it must be a grave evil, and you must commit it knowingly and willingly. If you truly believe all three conditions are met, don't go to communion. If you're not sure, then you have not met the second condition, and I believe you can go to communion with a clear conscience. But given all of that, if you're still not sure, stay away.
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Steven Barrett
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| Location: | Hadley, Absurdistan, AKA , Massachusetts USA |
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 02:13 pm |
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Cajunrick & Brian,
I think one of Brian's problems with mortal sin and receiving Communion stems from his prior memberships with Methodist, Evangelical and Anglican denominations. Likewise the same could be said for anybody coming to Rome from Protestant denominations. Sin is sin: Period. Robbing a bank is as much a sin as any other act that pulls us directly in paths contradictory to God's intended path for as stated in Scripture.
Although it is much simpler compared to our two-tiered concept of sin, it explains why there seems to be so much ambiguity. My parents had a general rule of thumb (and both of them were thoroughly taught from first grade all the way through high school by the Sisters of St. Joseph -- who took no backseats to anybody when it came to inculcating the Faith -- if you did something or said something before going to Mass, but unable to make it to confession, you sat on the pew. Unconfessed mortal sins DIDN'T count in the pile of lesser (venial) sins you haven't privately confessed weren't covered by a priest's general absolution during Mass. Besides, God surely knew if you mentally tried to sweep the mortal baddies under the rug of general absolution.
It'd be interesting to know the fate of so many of us guys who went to Church partially to see the gals in their best clothes, and yes, guys being the wolves they/we are, "undressed" these maidens with less than spiritual intentions while looking about.
Hmmm, watch. I probably unleashed a stampede of guys heading off to their local church, but only to face a sign saying "By Appointments Only. - Fr. Grace will be back next Saturday afternoon to hear Confessions an hour before 4 o'clock Mass: First come/first heard basis."
Mortal sin isn't usually a laughing matter, but sometimes we can't help laughing at our approaches towards our fumbling ways to handle it, confess it, and be thankful it's gone. And, we usually limit our chuckles to the lesser variety of mortal sins, i.e., getting drunk and making a fool of oneself, etc. Or the fellow who stole what he thought was a horse only to make a bigger fool out of himself by helping himself to a jackass. And, how would he explain that to Father without causing Father to laugh out loud.
See a priest, read the catechism and when in doubt, let a priest take it out -- before joining the Communion line.
____________________
James Michael Curley to a young Thomas “Tip” O’Neill -- “Son, it’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”
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brian
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 02:32 pm |
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I find the idea comforting that one would probably know that he has committed a mortal sin due to the 3 conditions met.
I am just trying to figure out how much premeditation plays a role. Like for instance I can prety much avoid following through with any evil intentions or plots that occur to me that would demand time between the thought and the execution of a grave evil. But I will at times intentionally do or think malicious or harmful things and then repent after I come to my senses, but I look back and still think...well i knew that was wrong at the time, and i could have avoided it....not sure if it was grave or not (but could argue for it being grave) ....and then I feel a bit confused.
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Steven Barrett
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Posted: Tue Apr 3rd, 2007 03:54 pm |
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Brian,
Man, you need a "license to chill," as the rather rogueish Catholic philosopher from Key West, Jimmy Buffett would put it.
Not that I'm suggesting you follow his example, but there is much to be said for taking a more relaxed attitude on this subject before you drive yourself and everybody around you nuts. The worst thing you want to do to yourself is becoming so bad at trying to become so good. You don't need to be your own worst Pharisee of a nightmare to yourself.
God knows what's written in your heart, and that counts for a lot more than anything else you and I can add into this discussion.
I sincerely hope I don't sound rakishly arrogant here, and sometimes I admit to coming across that way at times. Just follow the Church's teachings and relax. You've done great for God and yourself. That alone should give you comfort; not to mention that we do have the Sacrament of Confession.
Which - by the way is probably one of biggest reasons many shrinks have it in for Catholicism. You can visit your priest, confess your sins, work out a plan of repentence, but most importantly, walk out after hearing those terrific words "Your sins are forgiven, Go and sin no more."
Perhaps you may not realize it, but there are so many walking wounded people that are just driving themselves into a neurotic cul-de-sac because they feel a lack of forgiveness for something big, or even little, that's been eating them up for years. While I'm NOT saying depression isn't biological - heck, I'm bipolar and know it is! - all the pills in the world cannot come close to a person just knowing that his sins have been forgiven by God through the Holy Spirit that works through his priest. Can't find anyone or anything more powerful than the Almighty.
I could go on and on about this, but I think by now you have the picture because you appear to be a very intelligent person, just judging by the questions you raised. But remember, so long as your heart is in the right place and you are deliberately headed in the right direction, you only need to know that God is also walking with you, no matter how many sins have smudged your clothes.
Go and be with God, knowing He loves you, will forgive you and wants to be your compantion. That alone ought to make your day. It makes mine. 
____________________
James Michael Curley to a young Thomas “Tip” O’Neill -- “Son, it’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”
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