I'm wondering if any knowledgeable contributors can help me with a query. I am a somewhat less than devout Catholic. I make it along to Mass most Sundays (65%, say) and I like Holy Days. Part of me is sorry that I don't go all the time. But the other part is not and I sort of know I won't make it every Sunday for the forseeable future either, all good intentions aside. So, what I'm wondering is, does this basically mean I'm frozen out of receiving the sacraments of Confession and Communion for the moment, as it's a mortal sin not to attend Mass on Sundays and other days of obligation? This is because, if I'm not completely sorry for missing weeks, then there's no point in going to Confession as none of my sins will be forgiven as I'm not completely sorry for all of them. So, I'm in a position where I feel I cannot discharge any of these mortal sins because of one of them in particular. Of course, it's also a mortal sin to receive Holy Communion in a State of mortal sin. But how can I get out of it? It doesn't look good that I never go up anymore. I'd be grateful if anybody here could clear this up for me. I'm not looking for sympathy and if it's the case that there is no way back other than somehow genuinely committing to going all the time, then I'll just have to accept that I'm out of the loop for the moment. But I want to know, either way. I've discussed this with sevaral friends who have offered slightly different responses.
Dude, it's good to have faith, but sounds like you've boxed yourself into a serious and potentially-destructive Catholic-style guilt trip. I'd step back from the whole thing and try to get a wider perspective...as you said, accept that you're out of the loop for the time being, take solace in your friends and seek good advice outside of the church. Try to realize that God doesn't have you under a microscope, looking for flaws.
Im not Catholic....but , God knows our hearts and our intentions..he knows that we are sorry for the wrong we do..and he understands that we are not perfect. If in your heart you love him..but suffer from being a typical mortal..Im sure he understands. He created us ..and expects us to fall..and to learn..he is a loving and forgiving and a just God...not hateful and vengefull...he loves us despite of our faults. He loves us beyond any love we have ever felt..and we can always come to him and say we are sorry...
Please...Dont beat yourslf up so badly...he really does understand , and , its not as if you have commited an unforgiveable sin. I think what you are going through is just the feeling of not being quite good enough to go back to church..you forget though that everybody else in that church have things they wouldnt want yOU to know about ! People are fallible....God is not...and you need to tell yourself that you are going there to be with your God...not to please anyone else. We all have tese moments..
Thanks Spook. Good advice, I'm sure. I guess that's where I'm at. I've heard these arguments before. That the Catholic Church is just some sort of money-making racket. They are quite wealthy, it must be said. But why do you surmise they are running up this wealth? It seems to me that none of their functionaries are exactly living the life of Reilly, what with basically having to live in the Church's pocket, not marrying, etc... This is true. I wonder why Catholics are so prone to it?
Im not a Roman Catholic but since Im in the middle of courseware and dialogue with RCs on this very topic, let me give it a shot... Consider the Holy Communion is a spiritual event and not thought of like a 'reforgiveness'. Thats why you will hear terms like 'entering into the forgiveness' and these notions. We are in a 'state of being forgiven' and along with that we would be in a 'state of repentance' or a 'state of asking for forgiveness'. Ok, So the idea being when you go to Holy Communion you would really need to be honest in yourself for it to mean anything. You would have to be in that 'state of asking for forgiveness' if you are 'entering into it'. But to reiterate what some others have suggested - I think you might be 'boxing yourself in' to some sort of notion you missed a turn and now cant get out of it or something? Im going through hours and hours of DVD lectures (along with some RCs) and to my knowledge, You do not have to be doing this every week. I can ask about that but Im certain that there is no weekly mandate. What you might be thinking is along the lines of someone rejecting forgiveness. Someone says they are no longer asking for forgiveness and do not want to enter into forgiveness. Yes, In any Christian teachings that is a 'spiritualy mortal sin' in the sense you are rejecting Christ. So, yeah, you would be rejecting life itself. but i dont think thats what you are doing here.
I am Catholic I don't go to Mass on a regular basis I haven't gone to confession in years. I had a priest tell me that it was no problem. God knows your heart and the rules that are set are guide lines... it would be impossible to live without sin. As long and you are a good person and ask God to forgive you for the really bad things... You are fine and don't have to worry. So live your life the best you can and everything will be fine.
That's about the best advice anybody could give you. I don't really think I could improve on that. If you look at your faith this way, instead of just a bunch of rules and regulations, you'll be a heck of a lot better off.
The OP is asking about specific teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and how it relates to the Sacrament of Holy Communion. They want to know how that works within those teachings. Id like to recommend joining a Lutheran Church but in this case, they are not asking for alternative teachings. Clarification on teachings accordingly. Seriously, Id talk to the Priest about this because I really dont think there is any such thing as mandatory weekly mass and I dont think mortal or venial sins comes into this. Get clarified and please let us know what you find out?
What erzebet1961 was saying is just basic Christianity, Catholic or otherwise. That's why I quoted her. I'm Catholic, and I don't believe that every time somebody turns around that they're committing a 'mortal sin', and I don't know any other Catholics that think that way either. What erzebet1961 was saying is true. God does love us, sent His son to die on the Cross because of that, and He does understand us, and see in our hearts-He knows us better than we know ourselves, for crying out loud. That's just basic Biblical Christianity that any Catholic ought to know to begin with. They shouldn't have to ask some priest's opinion about it. If you don't understand those things, then your religion degenerates into a bunch of heartless legalism that nobody will ever derive any happiness from. He doesn't need to join another church to figure those things out. If he doesn't understand those things, he'll still be wandering around from one church to another until he figures them out. Catholicism (at least the Traditional form) has a lot of richness and beauty in it if you approach it the right way. Or you can just approach it in a sterile, legalistic way, and get nothing positive out of it at all. The choice is really yours.
I agree with you on just about everything here but look to what I have emboldened. The Roman Catholic practice and doctrine of what you call 'The Eucharist' does have some unique aspects. In this case, the OP is asking specific questions about those specifically Roman Catholic teachings. Teachings not found in other Denoms. Im only about 5-6 hours into the Cathechism (and believe me thats like barely a fraction) and thats why Im saying he needs to sort that out with a Priest right now. There is 'some sort' of requirement to the Holy Communion but not exactly in that 'sterile lagalistic' way you mentioned. I agree the poster is, unfortunately 'boxing themselves in' to that and they dont need to be by their own Church doctrines even.
Spook13 I really couldn't have said it any better than this!! Wonderful!! Take the advice, friend.... that's offered here....:hurray:
Well, thanks for the compliment, Mary...nice to be taken seriously on here for a change. I've been through my own spiritual struggles and truly hope that if I do venture some advice it's helpful.
Well it certainly was spot on far as I am concerned spook13 expecially the part about realising God doesn't have one under a microscope, looking for flaws!! Perfect and accurate!!
Thanks for all the advice, folks. I really like the bit I've quoted. The point has been well made that I'm boxing myself in on this one. I probably am approaching things in an overly legalistic way - I studied law for 4 years, so maybe it's just the way my brain now works. I need to chill out and take people's advice. There isn't really a Lutheran Church near me and converting is taboo in Ireland anyway. It's sort of considered cultural treachery. Nonetheless, I have lived in Scandinavia before, and I had a lot of time for the Lutheran Church when I lived there. Their attitude seemed fairly easy-going and some of their services were the most marvellous spectacles.
Heh, If you really really want to get right into the very nuts and bolts and nuances of the Holy Communion - its pretty darn close between RC and Lutheran, but, You can NEVER tell a Lutheran or a Catholic that lol! Did you get a chance to take in a service at the 'Church in the Rock' up there in Finland? Classic. One of the things I like in this Catechism was having the Priest explain the Eucharist in 'Spiritual Terms'. We want to think in terms of linear terms. We 'get forgiven' then we sin, then we go and 'get reforgiven' then redo it again. Then redo it again. No! When you enter into the Eucharist, he explains, you are entering into forgiveness that is always there. You 'enter into' and 'eternal, unchanging' thing. That really put away my own 'legalistic' understanding of Catholicism and Im a Lutheran!
