“Is This a Sin?”

Father Mike Schmitz

13 Jan 202106:51

Summary

TLDRFather 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.

Outlines

00:00

📝 The Internal Struggle with Sinful Intentions

Father Mike Schmitz discusses a scenario where an individual contemplates a sinful act, such as writing a hurtful letter, but refrains from carrying it out. He explores the concept of sin and whether the intention to sin without execution requires confession. He differentiates between being externally stopped from sinning, like encountering police while planning to rob a bank, and internally stopping oneself, which he considers an act of virtue. The speaker advises that while external circumstances may prevent sin, internal restraint is virtuous and may not necessitate confession, but acknowledges that feeding negative emotions during the process could be a matter for confession.

05:00

🙏 The Role of Confession in Spiritual Growth

Father Mike continues the discussion on sin and confession, emphasizing the importance of honesty and vulnerability in one's relationship with God. He suggests that even if one is unsure whether an act is sinful, it can be beneficial to confess it as an act of surrender and trust in God's judgment. The summary highlights the idea that acknowledging and surrendering to God any distortion of the heart, even from lesser sins, can be a part of spiritual growth and maintaining a close relationship with God. Father Mike concludes by encouraging individuals to entrust all aspects of their lives to God, including their uncertainties and struggles with sin.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Sin

In the context of the video, 'sin' refers to any immoral act or thought considered to be against divine law or ethics. It is a central theme as the video discusses the intention to sin and the consequences of such intentions, even if the act is not carried out. For example, Father Mike Schmitz talks about writing a nasty letter with the intention to hurt someone but then deciding not to send it, which raises the question of whether this intention is considered a sin.

💡Confession

Confession, in this video, is the act of admitting one's sins to a priest as part of the Catholic sacrament of Reconciliation. It is a key part of the discussion on whether one should confess intentions to sin that were not acted upon. Father Mike Schmitz uses the concept of confession to explore the moral implications of thoughts and intentions, such as the written but unsent letter.

💡Conscience

Conscience is the inner sense of what is right or wrong, guiding moral conduct. In the video, a 'sensitive and awake conscience' is praised as it prompts the question of whether to confess an unfulfilled sinful intention. The conscience's role is highlighted when the individual decides against sending the nasty letter, demonstrating an internal moral check.

💡Intention

Intention is the aim or plan behind an action. The video script delves into the moral weight of intentions, particularly when they are not followed by action. It examines whether the intention to sin is as significant as the sin itself, using the example of the unsent letter to explore this concept.

💡Virtue

Virtue, in the script, is a moral quality considered to be inherently good and to show one's character. The act of deciding not to send the letter is described as an 'act of virtue' because it represents a conscious choice to do good, despite the initial intention to sin.

💡Internal Stopping

Internal stopping refers to the self-regulation that occurs when a person decides against a sinful action due to their own moral judgment. In the video, this is contrasted with external stopping, where circumstances beyond one's control prevent the sinful act. The individual's decision not to send the letter is an example of internal stopping, which Father Mike Schmitz considers virtuous.

💡External Stopping

External stopping is when an individual's sinful action is prevented by factors outside of their control. The video uses the hypothetical scenario of a bank robbery being thwarted by the presence of police to illustrate external stopping, which does not absolve one of the initial sinful intention.

💡Anger

Anger is a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility. In the script, anger is the emotion that initially prompts the writing of the nasty letter. It is suggested that feeding this anger, even if not acting on it, might be something to consider confessing, as it could have internal moral implications.

💡Vengeance

Vengeance is the act of inflicting punishment in retaliation for perceived wrongs. The video discusses the desire for vengeance as a motivation behind the initial intention to send the nasty letter. It is presented as a negative force that can be overcome by an act of virtue.

💡Lust

Lust, in the context of the video, refers to a strong sexual desire, which is used as an analogy to other sins of the heart. Father Mike Schmitz suggests that even if one does not act on lust, the internal consent to it can have moral implications and might be something to bring to confession.

💡Sacrament

A sacrament is a religious ritual considered to have a transformative effect on the individual. In Catholicism, confession is one of the sacraments. The video touches on the sacrament of Reconciliation, where confession plays a crucial role in the believer's spiritual journey.

Highlights

Father Mike Schmitz discusses the moral implications of intending to sin but being stopped by external or internal factors.

The scenario of writing a nasty letter out of anger but deciding not to send it is presented as an example of a moral dilemma.

The importance of a sensitive and awake conscience is emphasized through the question of whether to confess the intention to sin.

External factors stopping sinful actions, such as police presence preventing a bank robbery, are contrasted with internal moral decisions.

The act of not sending the letter due to a change of heart is considered an act of virtue, distinguishing it from external prevention.

The difference between confessing an intended sin that was externally prevented and one that was internally overcome is explored.

The internal struggle with sin, such as the decision not to gossip or act on lustful thoughts, is highlighted as virtuous.

The act of writing the letter, even if not sent, may have fed anger or vengeance, suggesting a need for confession.

The concept of feeding sinful desires internally, even without external action, is discussed in relation to confession.

The importance of honesty and vulnerability in confession, regardless of the clarity of the sin, is emphasized.

The value of entrusting one's sins to God, even when unsure of their severity, is presented as a form of surrender and trust.

Father Mike encourages the audience to reflect on their actions and intentions, and to seek guidance through prayer and confession.

The potential for growth and understanding through the process of confessing and surrendering to God is highlighted.

The video concludes with a reminder of the importance of maintaining a living relationship with God through open communication and confession.

Father Mike Schmitz signs off, wishing blessings upon the viewers and encouraging them to reflect on the discussion.