Breaking the "Honor Your Father and Mother" Commandment

[stjohnberchmans]

Recently I got into an argument with my mother. We had been driving all day for the past 4 days and we had just got home from this long road trip. Needless to say tensions were high as we were getting tired.

We got into a heated argument upon arriving at our house and eventually I stormed out the house, went for a short drive. I drove to Church and prayed before the Blessed Sacrament and went back home.

Said I was sorry and then we both apologized and talked things over.

Everything is good now. We don’t argue or fight that often.

Is this a mortal sin? Is it breaking the commandment?

 

[smichhertz]

Firstly, I’d just like to say that I have great respect for you: that fact that you handled your frustration by going in front of the Blessed Sacrament is awesome!

As far as the CCC is concerned, you only sinned mortally if you truly desired to kill or seriously harm your mother. And it would be a violation of the fifth commandment. See below:

2302 By recalling the commandment, “You shall not kill,” our Lord asked for peace of heart and denounced murderous anger and hatred as immoral.

Anger is a desire for revenge. “To desire vengeance in order to do evil to someone who should be punished is illicit,” but it is praiseworthy to impose restitution “to correct vices and maintain justice.” If anger reaches the point of a deliberate desire to kill or seriously wound a neighbor, it is gravely against charity; it is a mortal sin. The Lord says, “Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment.”