After a short confession,

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Alt303

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My priest asked me if I receive the Eucharist on Sundays. I told him no, because I’m constantly angry from Saturday night, when I have to work. I have a real anger problem (usually it’s associated with my job) and was wondering what he meant by that question.

Thanks for replies.
 
Unfortunately I think you’d have to ask him. Our guess is as good as yours. It could be anything from, “I hope this guy isn’t receiving Eucharist because he’s in mortal sin,” to, “I hope this guy is receiving Eucharist because he needs the strength and grace it gives.” There’s no way for us to tell.

What did he say about your answer?
 
He simply asked me to recite, “Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.”

I think now he realizes my anger problems are almost daily and I shouldn’t be receiving communion.
 
While the Church encourages frequent communion, we are only obliged to receive once a year during the Easter season.
 
If we don’t receive communion during Easter? I returned to the church after a long hiatus and have only gone up twice in 11 months.
 
To deliberately refrain from receiving during the Easter season would be a sin. Of course there’s no sin if you simply don’t think of it or aren’t aware of the requirement. And of course if you haven’t been to confession and need to that would be a requirement.
 
Alt303 said:
He simply asked me to recite, “Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.”

I think now he realizes my anger problems are almost daily and I shouldn’t be receiving communion.
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It’s not clear from what he said. His advice to recite “Lord have mercy” might be intended as preparation for communion. That is one of several prayers which we all pray at Mass to prepare ourselves to receive. To be sure, ask him whether you should be receiving communion, and if so, how to receive it well. The priest knows better than you or I.
 
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Alt303 said:
He simply asked me to recite, “Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.”

I think now he realizes my anger problems are almost daily and I shouldn’t be receiving communion.
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You really need to discusd this with him. There are a number of reasons he may have asked.

As an aside , do you have any professional help in your anger management
 
No, I can’t afford the psych treatment because of my heart issues, even with insurance.
 
We can’t tell you what he meant.
I wanted to encourage you to offer up all your struggles, in union with Christ on the cross, for the conversion of sinners, with a morning offering every day. Maybe you’re doing this already. It seems like your struggles could really be an impact for good in this world. I know a few people who somehow get up every day and tackle a very difficult situation. Day in and day out. I don’t know how they do it. Grab onto Jesus’ hand in the morning and ask him to walk with you through the day. Then on Sunday at mass, bring your whole week to him, with all it’s bumps and bruises. This is our offering with him. May you impact the world with Christ, who takes a few fish and loaves and feeds the 5 thousand. God bless you.
 
CilladeRoma said:
Anger is not a mortal sin, it is a feeling.
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THIS.

If you’re deliberately fostering and feeding intense anger, that has the potential to be a mortal sin - but if it happens against your will and while you sincerely desire to overcome it and are making efforts to do so, then it is at most a venial sin and receiving communion can be a valuable source of strength in fighting against it.

At the same time, I don’t think speculating about the priest’s meaning is going to do much good here. I would strongly suggest talking to him if at all possible - and if that isn’t possible for whatever reason, it might be helpful to tell a different priest the same things you told the first one and ask for his advice. Even if you can’t afford psychological help, spiritual direction might be able to help with some aspects of what you’re going through.

Prayers for your healing and strength!
 
Anger is not a sin. Anger is an emotion and it is easier to give in to sin while emotional. I would suggest you make a meeting to talk to Father
 
Talk to your Cardiac team. They will get you access to counseling.
 
Yes! Counseling is part of any good treatment plan for heart problems. Catholic Charities also offers affordable counseling.
 
There is sinful anger, though. Losing one’s temper and blowing up at work is a problem I’ve had for years, but I was out of the church most of that time.
 
Anger isn’t a sin. It’s at the root of sin, but it doesn’t always have to take us there. Your anger can lead you to hurt others. Or you can work with a therapist to learn how to manage it.
 
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