“In what ways did I sin?” “When did I fail to do the good or right thing when I should have?”
Insults, fights, or rudeness to loved ones. Cheating, even small amounts. Lying, stealing or hurting someone for personal gain.
Have you prayed every day? Do you feel connected to God? Do you do the bare minimum for your loved ones, or do you go above and beyond? Do you take the easy way out, or push yourself to be a better person and servant of God?
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A mortal sin is a very serious sin that ends your relationship with God and will prevent you from receiving the Eucharist indefinitely until you confess and repent. If you die with a mortal sin left unrepentant, you will go to Hell. In order for a sin to be mortal, all three conditions must be met (If one of them are missing, no mortal sin can be committed):
The sin involves grave matter. This means the sin is very evil and severe and violates the 10 commandments. Examples of grave sins (Sins eligible to be mortal if the two conditions below are also met) are murder, abortion, rape, fraud, abusing or selling illegal drugs, arson, bullying, adultery (cheating on your spouse, fiancee, or boyfriend/girlfriend), or fighting someone with the intent to seriously injure them or kill them. The sinner must fully understand the sin they are about to commit is a mortal sin. The sinner chooses to do it anyway at their free will.
A venial sin is a minor sin that can hurt your relationship with God, but is not severe enough to end your relationship with him or send you to Hell. However, venial sins do not give you a “free pass” to do it, it can possibly lead you to commit a mortal sin. God may assign you to purgatory, where you will temporarily be punished with suffering, but unlike Hell, purgatory is temporary and upon completing your punishment, you can enter Heaven afterward. Fortunately, most sins are venial sins (very few offenses qualify as mortal sins). A venial sin occurs when:
The sin is minor (does not involve grave matter). Examples of minor sins are stealing $10 from your parents without asking, shoplifting a bottle of Coke, flipping off another driver, cheating on a school test, getting involved in a bar fight, and breaking civil laws of your jurisdiction. Even if the sinner knew it was a sin and chooses to do it at their free will, minor sins cannot “add up” to be mortal sins, but may tempt you to do so. The sin did involve grave matter, but the sinner either was not aware their action was a grave matter or they were forced to do it by someone else.
A mortal sin is a very serious sin that ends your relationship with God and will prevent you from receiving the Eucharist indefinitely until you confess and repent. If you die with a mortal sin left unrepentant, you will go to Hell. In order for a sin to be mortal, all three conditions must be met (If one of them are missing, no mortal sin can be committed):
The sin involves grave matter. This means the sin is very evil and severe and violates the 10 commandments. Examples of grave sins (Sins eligible to be mortal if the two conditions below are also met) are murder, abortion, rape, fraud, abusing or selling illegal drugs, arson, bullying, adultery (cheating on your spouse, fiancee, or boyfriend/girlfriend), or fighting someone with the intent to seriously injure them or kill them. The sinner must fully understand the sin they are about to commit is a mortal sin. The sinner chooses to do it anyway at their free will.
A venial sin is a minor sin that can hurt your relationship with God, but is not severe enough to end your relationship with him or send you to Hell. However, venial sins do not give you a “free pass” to do it, it can possibly lead you to commit a mortal sin. God may assign you to purgatory, where you will temporarily be punished with suffering, but unlike Hell, purgatory is temporary and upon completing your punishment, you can enter Heaven afterward. Fortunately, most sins are venial sins (very few offenses qualify as mortal sins). A venial sin occurs when:
The sin is minor (does not involve grave matter). Examples of minor sins are stealing $10 from your parents without asking, shoplifting a bottle of Coke, flipping off another driver, cheating on a school test, getting involved in a bar fight, and breaking civil laws of your jurisdiction. Even if the sinner knew it was a sin and chooses to do it at their free will, minor sins cannot “add up” to be mortal sins, but may tempt you to do so. The sin did involve grave matter, but the sinner either was not aware their action was a grave matter or they were forced to do it by someone else.
If you’ve sinned against someone, you should first go and confess to them. Make things right with them and the rest will follow. Confessing to another person is not a necessity – it is only recommended. You can confess your sins alone to god as well. The reasoning for confession can be found in John 5:16: “Confess your sins to one another . . . that you may be healed. "
Don’t worry if the words aren’t exactly right – asking for forgiveness and starting your last confession are the crucial parts. Some people prefer the less judgmental-sounding, “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. "
At the end of the confession, the priest gives you a “penance. " This is a task or tasks that you must complete for forgiveness.
