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mommy2boys
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| Joined: | Tue Jul 3rd, 2007 |
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| Posts: | 4 |
| First Name: | Janet | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | evangleical |
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Posted: Sat Jul 7th, 2007 10:55 pm |
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As a protestant who is considering converting I am very confused by the terms mortal and venial sin. Could you define them for me? How are they different? How do each get forgiven and absolved?
Thank you,
Janet
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4979 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Sat Jul 7th, 2007 11:47 pm |
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mommy2boys wrote: As a protestant who is considering converting I am very confused by the terms mortal and venial sin. Could you define them for me? How are they different? How do each get forgiven and absolved?
"Mortal" sin is that which causes the death of our relationship with God. Essentially it is a violation of the Ten Commandments, or more simply, a sin against Jesus' "Law of Love".
The Catholic Church teaches that there are three things necessary for a sin to be considered "mortal". It must be a grave offense that we commit knowingly and willingly. There are no accidental mortal sins.
In essence, a mortal sin is when I turn my back on God and reject his grace. The most common mortal sins are probably sexual sins (premarital and extramarital sex, for example) and failure to love and serve the Lord and each other.
You can find a full explanation of the difference between mortal and venial sin in the Catechism beginning at section 1854.
All sins are forgiven by God alone. However, in the case of mortal sin, we have not only sinned against God but wounded the Body of Christ which is the Church, and so forgiveness also requires confession and absolution from a priest. Venial sins are forgiven by repentance, acts of charity, reception of the Eucharist, and in many other ways. Confession of venial sins is encouraged, especially if they are those we commit frequently and/or habitually. Examples of venial sins might include the common use of profanity; minor disrespect of our parents, spouses and children; selfishness; greed; laziness; fudging our taxes; speeding; and other acts which endanger ourselves or others due to our carelessness.
All sin is subjective. What might be a venial sin for you might be a mortal sin for me, and vice versa. Intention is everything in judging sin, and that's why Jesus tells we should not judge the sinfulness of another, lest we be held to the same standard. "Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us"; "Judge not lest ye be judged".
If you read the section of the Catechism referenced above, it gives a very clear explanation of the Church's teaching on the different types of sin, and the scriptural basis for that teaching.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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David W. Emery
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
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| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Jul 7th, 2007 11:57 pm |
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From the Compendium of the Catechism:
394. How are sins distinguished according to their gravity?
A distinction is made between mortal and venial sin.
395. When does one commit a mortal sin?
One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.
396. When does one commit a venial sin?
One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.
Venial sins can be forgiven through many of the same kinds of acts that Protestants use when seeking forgiveness for their sins. They can also be forgiven in the sacrament of penance, just like mortal sins.
Catholics also distinguish between the sin in itself and the consequences of sin (what is referred to in the text above as “temporal punishment”). If I murder someone, that is a grave sin; the consequences are that there is a person dead, and the body will have to be attended to, including funeral and burial. Probably there are relatives and friends who mourn his loss. In addition, for myself there is the question not only of sin but of crime. This entails arraignment, trial, conviction and penalty. And these proceedings will affect my relatives and friends as well. Et cetera. No sin is without consequences.
The classic biblical text used in proving that the distinction between mortal and venial sin is valid is 1 John 5:16–17:
If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal.
David
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