Monday 23 July 2012

My mortal sin


I left the hotel hurriedly in a taxi on my way to the airport. It was then that I realized that I had sinned deeply and severely the night before.

This was in no doubt a mortal sin. I had succumbed to temptation and been led astray by the devil. The horror of the situation filled me with dread and a cold sweat started trickling on my forehead. What if the worst were to happen and I was suddenly face to face with my Maker, my Creator, and my ultimate Judge?

The taxi drew past a church and I asked the driver to stop suddenly. I paid him off and rushed into the building. Suddenly, missing the plane didn’t seem to matter any more. It was Saturday and the chances are there would be Confessions in progress.

I was fortunate. A dozen or so people were waiting their turn to enter the old fashioned Confessional. 

I waited with them and could only think of one sin. My mortal sin of the night before! The dark blot on my soul leading me to eternal damnation unless it is wiped clean once again.
 
How could I succumb to such sin once more? The shame and humiliation of it all played over in my mind time and again. I could see myself sinning vividly at Satan’s feet. And now I had to tell the priest all about it.

Eventually my turn came and I knelt down by the thick curtain hiding my Confessor.

I confessed my hideous sin leaving no detail unsaid. I told him exactly what had happened and how I succumbed to temptation and how I needed absolution.

When I finished, somewhat relieved off the heavy weight on my soul, the voice behind the curtain said “Yo no hablo Ingles!”

In my hurry to confess my mortal sin I had forgotten that I was on a business trip to Spain.

This was a Spanish church with a Spanish priest, and he does not speak English, and he has not understood a word I said, how can he possibly forgive me my sin?

How could I mime my sin from behind the curtain? And would he understand me if he saw me re-enact it? Are some sins so international to be easily understood in any language?

I did what most English people do when abroad and not understood. I repeated every word again slowly and loudly.

Somehow, there’s the belief that by speaking loudly the English language is suddenly universally understood.

Eventually, the Spanish priest repeated in an equally loud voice “Yo te perdono! Yo te perdono!”

I said “Muchas Gracias” and left the church before waiting for absolution and penance.

When I arrived back home I thought I’d make doubly sure and I went straight to my English speaking priest, albeit he has a Scottish accent, by I forgive him that.

I told him about my Spanish mortal sin.

I explained that the night before I left Spain, whilst in my hotel room, I was so tempted that I succumbed to temptation itself. I took a chocolate from the little ice box they have in some hotels. I really enjoyed that chocolate.

The following morning, when asked by the receptionist whether I had used the ice box, I had forgotten about the chocolate bar and I said “No!”

It wasn’t until I was in the taxi heading for the airport that I realized I had technically stolen from the hotel and committed a mortal sin.

The Scottish priest laughed at my face and did not give me absolution. Luckily, I had a Spanish absolution instead. I think!

16 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I'm glad you enjoyed this story Colleen.

      God bless.

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    2. Thanks Vic,
      I too once went to my priest and confessed a long list of sins related to a hectic family life. After a long pause, the priest in a very sympathetic voice said "My son I absolve you from all your sins. Now say a good Act of Contrition and I give you my blessings" I did as he said. He then concluded with the usual " In the name of the Father,Son & Holy Spirit Go in Peace"
      I interrupted with "But Father what about my penance". And he swiftly answered " You are married that's penance enough"!

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    3. A very understanding priest, indeed.

      God bless you and your family.

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  2. Aargh! I'm cringing! I might have actually done something like this, when I first converted. I'd tell you about my most stupid confession but it's just plain silly - even for me:-/

    Thanks for laugh - I think!

    God bless, Victor:-)

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    Replies
    1. Come on Vicky ... you really must tell us.

      I've confessed so much in various posts here; now's your turn.

      God bless.

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  3. Good one Victor! My dad actually went to confession once to a non-English speaking priest. He told that priest things he had never confessed before. Dad said it was the best confession he had ever made.......maybe there is something to be said for that! ;)

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    Replies
    1. Good idea Daily Grace. I must try that next time I have something really bad to confess.

      I once impressed my guests by ordering a whole meal in a restaurant in French - it was an Italian restaurant!

      God bless.

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    2. Your a character Victor! Glad to have you as a blogger buddy!

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  4. Again, I'm on the edge of my seat when the climax to the story occurs!!! Laughing heartily!!! Thanx!! Cathy

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    Replies
    1. It's nice to see you laugh Cathy.

      God bless you.

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  5. Yeah, those chocolates are tempting, aren't they? I could tell you a funny story about onions but I think I'll let Vicky tell hers instead ;)

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    Replies
    1. It was a mortal sin, wasn't it, Mary?

      So ... what is your story about onions?

      God bless.

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  6. Very funny. The fearsome monsignor who was the pastor of our parish when I was eleven or twelve told the class of a time when he was on a trip and heard confessions at a parish. He didn't speak or understand German. Some penitents confessed in German and the fearsome monsignor told us he understood it all. God had given him the grace to comprehend. He said no matter what, we should always go to confession and God would provide.

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  7. What a wonderful story Barb. Thank you for sharing it with us.

    Can you imagine if we had to confess with the aid of a translator?

    God bless.

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