Dear
Fr. Joe: What is a mortal sin? If I commit one, do I automatically go
to hell?
Well, to explain this one, you need to join ARF. ARF stands for Acronyms
R Fun. OK, long stretch for what is basically a pretty lame joke, but
I assure you, my intentions were noble.
For something to be a Mortal Sin, you need to remember the acronym CIA.
That stands for Circumstance, Intention and Action. We’ll take it
one at a time.
Circumstance: you have to be free to commit something or not commit
something. For example, killing is normally a mortal sin, but if someone
were holding a gun to your head and ordered you to kill, that is different
than if you were to kill someone "for the thrill of it."
Intention: here you need to intend offense to God or not care if
it does offend God. You need the knowledge that it is wrong and a lack
of proper concern that it is wrong.
Action: the action has to be of "grave matter," meaning
a serious issue. Cheating at solitaire, for example, probably could never
fall into mortal sin because it’s just not an important issue. Unless,
of course, you were trapped by an evil (pronounced E-ville) doctor who
was forcing you to play solitaire in a twisted, but well thought out plan
at world domination which begins and ends with your game of solitaire
and you play your guts out, but no matter what happens, you find yourself
thwarted at every turn by the insidious ...
Sorry. Got a little carried away there. Back to your question.
So, in a nutshell, if you are in a situation where you know that what
you are doing is wrong and of a serious matter, and you are free to not
do it and you do it anyway, you have put your soul in jeopardy.
In this situation, you need to get yourself to confession as soon as possible,
and certainly before you receive Holy Communion.
Enjoy another day in God’s presence!
Send your Questions to:
“In the Know with Fr. Joe”
FAITH Magazine
300 W. Ottawa, Lansing, MI 48933
Or: JoeInBlack@priest.com
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