Is a Sin just a Sin?
I have frequently preached on Mortal Sin and the Sacrament of Confessions. Recently, it has been pointed out to me that I have not directly defined Mortal Sin, Venial Sin, or how to know which you have been guilty of. Mortal Sin is exactly what it sounds like, it is sin that causes death. Mortal Sin kills the human spirit and separates a person from God and the Spiritual Life. Venial sin is a smaller sin. Mortal Sin can be likened to a sword through the heart while Venial Sin can be likened to a scraped knee. However, enough scrapes on the body can change that injury into something life threatening as well. So what is a Mortal Sin? There are 3 qualifications that make a sin become Mortal:
1. Grave Matter
2. Full Knowledge that it is Grave Matter
3. Free Choice to do it Anyway
Grave Matter simply means that it is a big deal, for instance, stealing a pack of gum from the gas station is obviously a lesser sin than stealing someone's life savings.
Full Knowledge is that you are not ignorant of the severity of your sin.
Free Choice means that you are not compelled by a separate force, whether internal or external. (Most addictions would remove Free Choice)
If you are not sure if something is a Grave Matter, ask. You can ask a priest, you can look it up in the Catechism, or maybe even Google. I'd probably stay away from Google for the most part.
If you are in the state of Mortal Sin, you are NOT to go to Communion without first going to Confession. As St Paul writes,
"27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.t 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are chastened so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
33 So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another—34 if any one is hungry, let him eat at home—lest you come together to be condemned. About the other things I will give directions when I come."
1 Cor 11:27–34.