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Adam Fernandes wrote:

Hi, guys —

Today I ordered something for lunch and realized that I didn't have enough to cover it so I took some money from my brother. Now taking the money won't cause any harm to him and I didn't plan on doing this.

  • Is this a mortal sin?

Adam

  { Is taking money for lunch from my brother a mortal sin, if it doesn't cause him any harm? }

Mike replied:

Dear Adam,

Taking money from someone without their permission is called steeling and you should mention this next time you go to Confession. A good practice is to go to Confession monthly.

The Seventh Commandment: You shall not steal. Exodus 20:15; Deuteronomy 5:19; Matthew 19:18

On the topic of mortal sin, the Catechism states:

CCC 1857 For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must together be met:

"Mortal sin is sin whose:

  • object is grave matter
  • which is also committed with full knowledge, and
  • deliberate consent." (Reconciliatio et Paenitentia 17 § 12 [Vatican|EWTN])

If one of these criteria is missing, you have not committed a mortal sin.

The situation you have described would not be considered a grave matter but, again, you should mention it to your Confessor the next time you go to Confession. He can always give you the best counsel.

I hope this helps,

Mike

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