Despair, Presumption, And The Christian Life

[Ziggamafu]

[b][size=2]The Church commands us never to despair of Hell. To do so may be mortal sin.

The Church commands us never to presume of Heaven. To do so may be mortal sin.[/size][/b]

[b]My question: Can we ever [i]know[/i] we are in a state of grace? Can we ever [i]know[/i] we are in a state of mortal sin? How?[/b] Where does objective discernment end and subjective discernment begin in our spiritual life? And how do reason & knowledge coexist within a spiritual life oriented by hope & faith?

Edited February 5, 2007 by Ziggamafu

[Ziggamafu]

Seriously? No replies yet? I thought that this would get a lot of opinions kicking...

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

I think we can know when we are in a state of grace. If you are not conscious of grave sin, then anything you've done since confession could not have fit the criteria to be mortal. You must know you are committing a gravely sinful action. The only circumstance I can think of is forgetting a sin committed since last confession that you performed consciously and with the knowledge of its grave matter. Until your next confession (since forgotten sins are forgiven), you would not be in a state of grace. If you were to receive the Eucharist, I think your forgetfulness would excuse your unworthiness. There may even be room for mercy if you were to die before your next confession, provided you have the intention of confessing your mortal sins as soon as possible after committing them. Realistically, however, I don't see how one could forget a grave sin committed since their last confession if they go on a regular basis.