What is a Venial sin?Should we only reserve confession for mortal sins?Why do we need to differentiate types of sin? Why not try to avoid all sin?What can we do to avoid Venial Sins?If Venial Sins don’t exclude us from heaven, why not just deal with them until we die?How can we “find a disposition and inclination” to our venial sins, as St. Francis talks about?
Nov 14, 11:00 AM
SrSusan (Guest): Sunchat 730pm est Nov 17
Nov 14, 11:01 AM
SrSusan (Guest): newsletter for chat https://visitationspirit.org/2024/11/sun-chat-nov-17/
Nov 17, 4:28 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Welcome Sandie
Nov 17, 4:30 PM
Sandie (Guest): Very nice to be here.
Nov 17, 4:31 PM
SrSusan (Guest): We will wait a few minutes to see if anyone else shows up then begin, ok?
Nov 17, 4:31 PM
Sandie (Guest): Sounds good.
Nov 17, 4:33 PM
SrSusan (Guest): welcome viewer
Nov 17, 4:35 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I guess we can start with the first question. Usually we go through them one by one. I am not sure that you have been here before Sandie so just a little explanation. There is a newsletter to help get the understanding of the topic
Nov 17, 4:35 PM
SrSusan (Guest): But even if you did not read it, one can discuss
Nov 17, 4:36 PM
Sandie (Guest): I did read the newsletter …. on venial sin I believe.
Nov 17, 4:36 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Yes that’s it. Great!
Nov 17, 4:36 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q 1 What is a Venial sin?
Nov 17, 4:36 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q 1 What is a Venial sin?
Nov 17, 4:38 PM
Sandie (Guest): If there was a definition in the article not sure I got it …. but my understanding of a venial sin is an knowing offense against God that is not serious matter.
Nov 17, 4:39 PMSrSusan (Guest): Yes as I understand it while it offends God it does not cause a deep separation from him
Nov 17, 4:40 PMSrSusan (Guest): q 2 Should we only reserve confession for mortal sins?
ov 17, 4:40 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q 2 Should we only reserve confession for mortal sins?
Nov 17, 4:42 PM
Sandie (Guest): Not separation, but repeated venial sin without remorse makes us more susceptible to temptation to mortal sin, it seems. It is good to confess venial sins – gives us sacramental grace to help resist them in the future.
Nov 17, 4:43 PMSrSusan (Guest): I agree. In fact, though not necessary, even confessing faults can help us to grow spiritually, esp if we confess to a spiritual director/priest who is patient to hear about these faults
Nov 17, 4:44 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Sometimes a priest will say “that’s not a sin”
Nov 17, 4:44 PM
SrSusan (Guest): but still if we are trying to grow interiorly we can open our heart to share our struggles
Nov 17, 4:45 PM
Sandie (Guest): I was thinking about imperfections …. a priest who is sensitive to a contrite heart will listen and understand.
ov 17, 4:46 PMSrSusan (Guest): yes imperfections- that’s the term and sensitivity in a confessor is so helpful
Nov 17, 4:47 PMSrSusan (Guest): q Why do we need to differentiate types of sin?
Nov 17, 4:47 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q Why do we need to differentiate types of sin?
Nov 17, 4:48 PM
Sandie (Guest): We need to at differentiate between mortal and any other sin as it means eternal life or death.
Nov 17, 4:49 PM
SrSusan (Guest): So true and it would be very serious if one mistakes a mortal sin for a venial one
Nov 17, 4:49 PM
Sandie (Guest): As for venial sins and imperfections, I think that you handle them differently. You can apply different means of addressing them.
Nov 17, 4:50 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I am not sure of the culpability if one does not know the difference
Nov 17, 4:50 PM
SrSusan (Guest): But it is up to us to know our faith well
Nov 17, 4:50 PM
Sandie (Guest): If we don’t know the difference then it would not be mortal, but then all the more reason for confessing all sins.
Nov 17, 4:51 PM
Sandie (Guest): bottom line is that God knows our hearts.
Nov 17, 4:52 PM
SrSusan (Guest): in one of the traditional prayers we say we will avoid the near occasion of sin
Nov 17, 4:52 PM
SrSusan (Guest): so how do we do that?
Nov 17, 4:53 PMSrSusan (Guest): it’s not just avoiding the sin, but the possibility of it
Nov 17, 4:53 PMSandie (Guest): knowing what triggers us I would imagine …. and staying away from those triggers. It’s easy when it’s a “thing” – just avoid it – but harder with people who you are commanded to “love.”
Nov 17, 4:54 PMSrSusan (Guest): having to be with people who might goad you in some manner
Nov 17, 4:55 PM
Sandie (Guest): yes … lots of prayer helps.
Nov 17, 4:55 PM
SrSusan (Guest): And if you live with someone or a group one can’t avoid the persons who may be difficult for you
Nov 17, 4:56 PM
Sandie (Guest): Prideful people do that to me and I have to be on my guard to avoid negative thoughts about them.
Nov 17, 4:56 PM
SrSusan (Guest): St Francis de Sales said to look for the best in everne; I am sure all the saints would say it, but sometimes behaviors are hard to cope with
Nov 17, 4:56 PM
SrSusan (Guest): everyone
Nov 17, 4:57 PMSrSusan (Guest): I know sometimes I can be grumbling inside even if I do not show it, so yes, prayer and turning to the Lord helps
Nov 17, 4:58 PMSandie (Guest): yes … trying very hard. All of us baptized are God’s children, and that’s how I try to look at it. He’s a child of God and God loves him …. and as far as I know he might have repented seven times that day and just slipped.
Nov 17, 4:59 PM
SrSusan (Guest): That’s a good disposition to have
Nov 17, 4:59 PM
SrSusan (Guest): If Venial Sins don’t exclude us from heaven, why not just deal with them until we die?
Nov 17, 4:59 PMSrSusan (Guest): If Venial Sins don’t exclude us from heaven, why not just deal with them until we die?
Nov 17, 5:02 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I guess re the question- we are not looking to live a bare minimum Christian life but one of love
Nov 17, 5:02 PM
Sandie (Guest): We can’t grow as much in charity when in venial sin …. and if we only have this lifetime to grow in love then why wasted time in venial sin. The extent to which we love here on earth will be the extent to which we love and give glory to God in heaven
Nov 17, 5:02 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Why keep hurting God, even if it is a slight hurt only
Nov 17, 5:04 PM
Sandie (Guest): We’ve hurt him enough – the death he sufferred was for our sins. As we grow in love for Him we grow to abhor hurting Him again in any way I think.
Nov 17, 5:04 PM
SrSusan (Guest): We want to be in a loving relationship, yes,
ov 17, 5:05 PMSrSusan (Guest): and console Him to the extent we can
Nov 17, 5:06 PM
SrSusan (Guest): q How can we “find a disposition and inclination” to our venial sins, as St. Francis talks about?
Nov 17, 5:07 PM
Sandie (Guest): Yes … there is an Office of the Angel of Gethsemene that I learned about …. that our prayers do console our Lord … that He foresaw how we would love Him and console Him …. and that actually did console Him in the Garden.
Nov 17, 5:09 PMSrSusan (Guest): not to avoid but to discover our inclinations that may lead to sin
Nov 17, 5:10 PM
Sandie (Guest): no …. it’s whenever we pray to Jesus – telling Him we are sorry for our sins – and consoling Him in our hearts over the sins that we see. He foreknew those prayers and heard them in His agony. We actually console Him with His angel.
Nov 17, 5:10 PM
SrSusan (Guest): oh I see
Nov 17, 5:12 PMSrSusan (Guest): I think by self knowledge, watching our thought, what we repeatedly think about or complain about might show us the area of tendency to sin
Nov 17, 5:13 PM
SrSusan (Guest): even low self esteem or general negativity, maybe even depression which can lead to many venail sins
Nov 17, 5:13 PM
SrSusan (Guest): venial
Nov 17, 5:13 PM
Sandie (Guest): Sometimes I think that discerning spirits can help. Knowing when the enemy is advancing …. and yes, self-knowledge for sure … knowing our weaknesses. Sometimes it’s just a combination.
Nov 17, 5:14 PMSrSusan (Guest): yes discernment of spirits, yes definitely
Nov 17, 5:14 PMSandie (Guest): Sometimes we are our own worst enemy …. praying for increased virtue …. especially humility.
Nov 17, 5:15 PM
Sandie (Guest): there’s no greater weapon for warding off the enemy than humility and prayer.
Nov 17, 5:15 PM
SrSusan (Guest): and being with Jesus as much as we can, in the Blessed sacrament if possible
Nov 17, 5:16 PM
Sandie (Guest): Why do you think that folks did not come to the discussion on venial sin?
Nov 17, 5:17 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I am really surprised but maybe it is an uncomfortable topic, or too basic ??
Nov 17, 5:17 PM
Sandie (Guest): Is it a difficult discussion for folks?
Nov 17, 5:17 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Yes maybe.
Nov 17, 5:18 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Also I thought myself we were not finished with chatting about the new encyclical on the Sacred heart
Nov 17, 5:18 PM
SrSusan (Guest): But the webmaster sent out this newsletter
Nov 17, 5:18 PM
Sandie (Guest): I haven’t read it.
Nov 17, 5:18 PM
SrSusan (Guest): But we had a good chat
Nov 17, 5:19 PM
Sandie (Guest): Yes, we did. I’m glad I finally engaged. I’ve been getting the newsletters now for a few weeks.
Nov 17, 5:19 PM
SrSusan (Guest): It is very long but worthwhile at least most sections are good. I found the beginning a bit too hard or maybe not engaging but it gets better as you go along
Nov 17, 5:19 PM
Sandie (Guest): The Holy Spirit prompted me to join tonight.
Nov 17, 5:20 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I would like you to meet the others here. They are all very spiritual, deep thinkers
Nov 17, 5:20 PM
Sandie (Guest): I would like that too.
Nov 17, 5:20 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I may email a few that I have e mails for and see what happened
Nov 17, 5:21 PM
SrSusan (Guest): I am glad the Holy Spirit inspired you tonight!
Nov 17, 5:21 PM
Sandie (Guest): I am as well, Sister. Thank you so much for doing this. I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Nov 17, 5:22 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Please think about returning. Have a blessed week! Is there anything else before we depart?
Nov 17, 5:23 PM
Sandie (Guest): You have a blessed week as well Sister. I will start praying for you in my intentions if you would like.
Nov 17, 5:23 PM
SrSusan (Guest): Oh please do and I will for you too.
Share
Tweet
2 online
Sandie