Is "cuddling" a sin?

[michaelorapronobis]

My girlfriend and I like watching movies, TV shows, etc. together, and often just sitting and talking. Usually we sit with our arms around each other, cuddling hugging, etc, and the odd kiss (i make sure it's not longer than a few seconds). We have no intention of doing anything sinful (we only want to have sex if we get married), but sometimes I find myself starting to get aroused. Nothing serious, just an erection starting. I have no desire to have these feelings, and neither does she. I either stand up and go away, or think about something else to stop it.

Is this sinful? Am I committing sin? I confess it in case it is, and priests have told me that it is dangerous but not a sin. However, I'm not sure. I know it is dangerous, but driving a car is dangerous too, unless you know what you're doing. I know what I'm doing. I don't want to have sex or do anything sexual with her, and I wouldn't, so is it an occaision of sin if I'm not going to give into these temptations? One priest said that being sexually aroused isn't a sin, but it's what you do with it that is sinful. Another priest told me that placing yourself in a situation to arouse your passions is sinful. What exactly constitutes 'arousing your passions'?

Can someone please help me? I'm scared that none of my previous sins have been forgotten because of this. I am an altar server at the Traditional Latin Mass, and I am scared I am committing a sacrilege by serving in a state of sin.

[cappie]

This is described as possibly the occasion of Sin:

occasion of sin

An external circumstance which of its own nature or because of our frailty inclines and leads to sin. An occasion is [b]proximate[/b] if the danger of sinning is certain or probable, [b]remote[/b] if such danger is slight. It is [b]absolute[/b] if of itself it leads us to sin, [b]relative[/b] if only on account of weakness it becomes an occasion of evil-doing.

It is [b]voluntary[/b] if it may [b]easily[/b] be shunned, otherwise it is [b]involuntary[/b]. It is present if we have it with us without seeking it; otherwise it is absent.

There is no obligation to avoid a remote occasion, unless we foresee that it will soon be proximate.

But there is a positive obligation to avoid a voluntary proximate occasion, whether it be absolute or relative, present or absent.

Taking the above I would say you would have to be careful...It's always good to remember that sin always begins in our minds and then moves to our hearts.

Matthew 12:35 tells us that “A good person produces good words from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil words from an evil heart.” It is a fact that whatever we surround ourselves with, whatever we indulge ourselves in, and whatever we fill our minds with is what we will become.

This is why Philippians 4:8 says, “Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

In their own way both priests are right.... finding yourself in the proximate occasion is not a sin in itself but best avoided...but to place yourself deliberately in a position where you will to be aroused is sinful.