Supersizing Venial Sin

[TheUbiquitous]

Look at it another way: If you intend to mortally sin, are you guilty of mortal sin?

And if you intend to mortally sin by doing act X, and then you do act X, do you mortally sin?

[Socrates]

[quote name='cmariadiaz' timestamp='1347379617' post='2481324']
Really? I still think that the definition of grave matter has not been met. Again ... if I stole 5 cents out of the hands of a beggar, then that's different (graver) than if I stole 5 cents from a millionaire. Or if I stole a gummy bear from a large store.

Common sense has to come into play here. This is common sense. Not a diminishment of responsibility, but a common sense judgement on gravity. To say that stealing a gummy bear (a small one -- not the big ones that I've seen) is grave matter just serves to affirm the scrupulosity that a lot of people have on the phorum, and it is something we all should watch out for. It really minimizes God's abundant mercy, and serves to reinforce the image of a punishing, severe, mean God.
[/quote]
You're correct. Filching a few cents from a millionaire, for instance, in most circumstances would be a venial sin, not a mortal sin.
From the Catholic Encyclopedia:
[quote]The [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14004b.htm"]sin[/url] of theft is of itself grievous, because it violates the great virtues of [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08571c.htm"]justice[/url] and charity. [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11567b.htm"]St. Paul[/url] ([url="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/1co006.htm#vrs10"]1 Corinthians 6:10[/url]) enumerates it as one of thetransgressions which bars the offender from the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08646a.htm"]kingdom of heaven[/url]. Still, as happens with regard to other delinquencies, its guilt may often be venial. This is particularly [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15073a.htm"]true[/url] when the value of what is filched is inconsiderable, or as the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14580a.htm"]theologians[/url] say, is not grave matter. The determination of what is grave matter, whose taking, namely, is prohibited under pain of mortal [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14004b.htm"]sin[/url], is beset with great difficulties and has offered room for widespread difference of opinion. It is agreed, however, that a distinction is to be drawn between relatively and absolutely grave matter. . . .[/quote]
Full Article: [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14564b.htm"]Theft[/url]

[AudreyGrace]

Well, I like eggs, so...