The formation in moral theology I received laid out the principle that to be culpable for a mortal sin the act committed is grave matter, is acted upon after proper reflection and with full consent of the will. If one of these elements is not present a person is not in a state of mortal sin, even if the act in question is objectively morally sinful. If the person is in doubt as to whether a particular act constitutes grave matter then they should find out. If they receive Communion while harboring this doubt, but before having a reasonable opportunity to inform their conscience then they would not be sinning. If they were to willfully maintain their ignorance, not seeking out the truth, then we would be talking about a sin.
I must agree with Fr Tom and Will Branson comment below on the actuality of a Mortal sin. . thereby making it impossible to commit such a sin or at least being culpable in ignorance. I should add that I was always taught? that BEFORE we go to Communion we should make a private act of contrition (or after if we forgot?) but that we should say for example. . oh my God I am very sorry . .etc. Such a proper contrite act of faith is sufficient to receive Holy Communion. Of course there are exceptions? the Nazis, the Mafia or others that are in Mortal sin which is very difficult but requires the Sacrament of Reconciliation .. then we have Our Lords own warning of not being at odds with ones brother but first going and making peace with them . . .nonetheless, the trend in Tradition from Saints like Augustine to Faustina is that we should have confidence in Gods Love, his Mercy and his providence for us sinners. We are never worthy of Holy Communion, even if we were sinless the grace it affords us is greater than human identity can understand. Yet we should believe that God essentially wants us to receive him in the Sacrament and that it is for our eternal good .. . we must remember that for this he came down from heaven and died on a cross . .. that we might be redeemed. In that light we should probably go rejoicing to the altar? Worry and anxiety are useless, tools of the devil to displace our Confidence in Gods Goodness and welcome for his prodigals. Rather be of good cheer and thankful for his grace upon us. If we hold that attitude then we shall always be able to attend holy communion.
I have a question, I realized that I have a legalistic spirit and now I am struggling with how I would know if it's legalism or just the call of the spirit. I wanna have a strong conscience for I know they have more freedom and they aren't easily offended and they know how to handle spiritual gray areas properly. I don't hate conservatives I admire them for being that way but for me I feel a little strangled. there are times that I have read about these things and they are indeed "okay" but my feelings keep on saying no no no and once I try to fight that "no", the aftermath is always a guilty spirit. How can I discern and how do I handle the accusing spirit if it is indeed wrong?
i struggle with this same exact question this caller had all the time.
The formation in moral theology I received laid out the principle that to be culpable for a mortal sin the act committed is grave matter, is acted upon after proper reflection and with full consent of the will. If one of these elements is not present a person is not in a state of mortal sin, even if the act in question is objectively morally sinful. If the person is in doubt as to whether a particular act constitutes grave matter then they should find out. If they receive Communion while harboring this doubt, but before having a reasonable opportunity to inform their conscience then they would not be sinning. If they were to willfully maintain their ignorance, not seeking out the truth, then we would be talking about a sin.
Praise God! See your impact Catholic Answers?!?!
I must agree with Fr Tom and Will Branson comment below on the actuality of a Mortal sin. . thereby making it impossible to commit such a sin or at least being culpable in ignorance. I should add that I was always taught? that BEFORE we go to Communion we should make a private act of contrition (or after if we forgot?) but that we should say for example. . oh my God I am very sorry . .etc. Such a proper contrite act of faith is sufficient to receive Holy Communion. Of course there are exceptions? the Nazis, the Mafia or others that are in Mortal sin which is very difficult but requires the Sacrament of Reconciliation .. then we have Our Lords own warning of not being at odds with ones brother but first going and making peace with them . . .nonetheless, the trend in Tradition from Saints like Augustine to Faustina is that we should have confidence in Gods Love, his Mercy and his providence for us sinners. We are never worthy of Holy Communion, even if we were sinless the grace it affords us is greater than human identity can understand. Yet we should believe that God essentially wants us to receive him in the Sacrament and that it is for our eternal good .. . we must remember that for this he came down from heaven and died on a cross . .. that we might be redeemed. In that light we should probably go rejoicing to the altar? Worry and anxiety are useless, tools of the devil to displace our Confidence in Gods Goodness and welcome for his prodigals. Rather be of good cheer and thankful for his grace upon us. If we hold that attitude then we shall always be able to attend holy communion.
I have a question, I realized that I have a legalistic spirit and now I am struggling with how I would know if it's legalism or just the call of the spirit. I wanna have a strong conscience for I know they have more freedom and they aren't easily offended and they know how to handle spiritual gray areas properly. I don't hate conservatives I admire them for being that way but for me I feel a little strangled. there are times that I have read about these things and they are indeed "okay" but my feelings keep on saying no no no and once I try to fight that "no", the aftermath is always a guilty spirit.
How can I discern and how do I handle the accusing spirit if it is indeed wrong?