“Is This a Sin?”

Summary

Father Mike Schmitz discusses the moral implications of intentions to sin that are stopped by internal or external factors. He differentiates between being prevented from sinning due to circumstances beyond one's control and choosing not to sin due to an act of virtue. Schmitz suggests that while external prevention may require confession, internal restraint is virtuous and may not. However, he advises that feeding negative emotions, even without acting on them, could be a matter to address in confession to maintain a healthy spiritual state.

Takeaways

• 💌 The scenario discussed involves someone who writes a hurtful letter but decides not to send it, questioning whether this act requires confession.
• 🤔 Father Mike Schmitz addresses the question of whether an intention to sin that is not acted upon requires confession.
• 🚫 External circumstances can prevent sin, such as the presence of police preventing a bank robbery, which may still require confession due to the intent.
• 🔄 Internal reflection and decision not to act on a sinful intention, like not sending the letter, is considered an act of virtue and may not need confession.
• 🤝 The act of stopping oneself from sinning is virtuous and shows a sensitive and awake conscience, which is a positive sign.
• 😡 Even if the letter wasn't sent, feeding anger or a desire for vengeance while writing the letter might be something to address in confession.
• 💬 Confession can be a helpful process to surrender not only actions but also internal states like lust or anger that have affected one's heart.
• 🙏 The act of confessing can be a form of surrendering to God, acknowledging that one's understanding may be limited but seeking divine guidance and forgiveness.
• 🧐 It's important to discern the gravity of one's actions or intentions; not all internal consent to sin requires confession, but it can be beneficial.
• 🌟 Father Mike encourages a living relationship with God, where one is open to discussing and surrendering even the uncertainties of one's spiritual journey.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed by Father Mike Schmitz in the script?

Father Mike Schmitz discusses the concept of sin and confession, particularly focusing on situations where one intends to sin but is stopped, either externally or internally, and whether such intentions need to be confessed.

What is the scenario described by the person who wrote to Father Mike Schmitz?

The person described a scenario where they wrote a nasty letter to someone who had hurt them, but then decided not to send it, tearing it up and throwing it away.

Why did the person who wrote the letter decide not to send it?

The person decided not to send the letter because they thought better of it, realizing that the letter would only cause destruction and they didn't need to cause harm to someone else's life.

According to Father Mike Schmitz, what are the two things that can stop someone from sinning?

Father Mike Schmitz explains that two things can stop someone from sinning: being stopped externally by circumstances beyond one's control, or being stopped internally by one's own moral decision.

What is an example of being stopped externally from sinning as given by Father Mike Schmitz?

An example of being stopped externally is planning to rob a bank but being prevented from doing so because of the presence of police cars and officers at the bank.

Why does Father Mike Schmitz suggest that one might need to go to confession even if they were stopped externally from sinning?

Father Mike Schmitz suggests that one might need to go to confession if stopped externally because the intention to sin was present, and it was only external circumstances that prevented the act, not an act of virtue on one's part.

What does Father Mike Schmitz consider an act of virtue in the context of the letter scenario?

Father Mike Schmitz considers it an act of virtue when the person internally decides not to send the nasty letter, as it shows a moral decision to not cause harm to another.

Why might someone still need to confess even if they did not act on their sinful intentions?

Someone might still need to confess if they fed their negative emotions, like anger or lust, even if they did not act on them, because internally consenting to these feelings can still affect one's heart and soul.

What does Father Mike Schmitz recommend doing in cases of uncertainty regarding sin and confession?

Father Mike Schmitz recommends being honest and vulnerable before God, laying one's heart and intentions at the foot of the cross in confession, even if there is uncertainty about whether an act is a sin.

What is the significance of confessing sins, even minor ones, according to Father Mike Schmitz?

Confessing sins, even minor ones, is significant because it represents a living relationship with God, where one is willing to surrender and entrust their actions and intentions to God for guidance and healing.