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Objection 1: It would seem that it is a mortal sin to ask for the
debt at a holy time. For Gregory says (Dial. i) that the devil
took possession of a woman who had intercourse with her husband at night
and came in the morning to the procession. But this would not have
happened had she not sinned mortally. Therefore, etc.
Objection 2: Further, whoever disobeys a Divine command commits a
mortal sin. Now the Lord commanded (Ex. 19:15): "Come not
near your wives," when namely they were about to receive the Law.
Much more therefore do husbands sin mortally if they have intercourse
with their wives at a time when they should be intent on the sacred
observances of the New Law.
On the contrary, No circumstance aggravates infinitely. But undue
time is a circumstance. Therefore it does not aggravate a sin
infinitely, so as to make mortal what was otherwise venial.
I answer that, To ask for the debt on a feast day is not a
circumstance drawing a sin into another species; wherefore it cannot
aggravate infinitely. Consequently a wife or husband does not sin
mortally by asking for the debt on a feast day. It is however a more
grievous sin to ask for the sake of mere pleasure, than through fear of
the weakness of the flesh.
Reply to Objection 1: This woman was punished not because she paid
the debt, but because afterwards she rashly intruded into the divine
service against her conscience.
Reply to Objection 2: The authority quoted shows not that it is a
mortal sin but that it is unbecoming. For under the Old Law which
was given to a carnal people many things were required under an
obligation of precept, for the sake of bodily cleanness, which are not
required in the New Law which is the law of the spirit.
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