Patrick —

It is wrong to purposely harm your physical life by intentionally getting sick. Your life is a gift that you must care for reasonably. There are alternatives: talk to the professor, or simply don't show up and ask for a retest (a big risk!). However, I think a couple of days is ample time to get enough studied to pass.

As for masturbation, it is grave matter, and when done with awareness of this and full consent,
it is seriously sinful and should be confessed. Many people operate under the force of habit or compulsion, or have other mitigating factors. We should still struggle in the face of these things, so that we will be free some day.

Meanwhile, the sacrament of Confession gives you grace and strength, so keep going! With a merciful God, there is no shame in being a sinner, only shame in not admitting it!

Mary Ann

Patrick,

Don't be discouraged about your struggle with masturbation. While initially it may be embarrassing, going to Confession is a powerful way toward freedom from this sin. Besides God's grace, the priest can also offer encouragement and practical advice. Find a priest you can habitually confess to, perhaps one in an adjoining parish; that way you get comfortable with him and don't mind confessing it as much. Don't let your embarrassment stop you from going to Confession! I assure you, the priest won't be surprised. It's a serious sin which must be avoided, but you are definitely not alone and as long as you are fighting the good fight, don't beat yourself up too badly and remember:

It is not the good soldier who never falls; rather, the good soldier is the one who gets back up again to fight.

Some key advice is to avoid occasions of sin (that is, situations which, in and of themselves, are not sinful, tend to lead to sin or make it more difficult to resist) and keep yourself busy. A bored single guy at home alone is a recipe for disaster. Observe what habitually leads up to falling, and when you start going down that road, do something else, or counteract it in some way. Consider yourself a martyr for chastity. In a certain sense, when we sin, we are denying our faith. Imagine the martyrs who endured torture for their faith rather than deny it. You're facing the same thing, you just can't see the ones who are inducing you to do this.

I am not trying to lay a guilt trip on you; I'm urging you to have fortitude and stand up to sin by looking at temptation as an opportunity to be a courageous martyr instead of looking at it as desperately wanting something you can't have. You'll feel good about yourself when you successfully resist. Be a hero. Also, encourage yourself (even reward yourself) when you successfully resist temptation, even if temporarily. Persevere! It may take years to gain the upper hand. Trust in Jesus! You can do nothing without His grace. Relax and surrender yourself: (spirit, soul, and body), wholly and entirely to Him when temptations come.

Eric