Curious Communion Question

[BlueRain]

I’m just curious to know something. I know that you have to be in a state of grace when you receive Communion.
But, what if you’re angry (maybe with someone or something) during Mass. Can you still receive Communion?

Also, one time I felt an inexplicable anger during Mass for no reason. It wasn’t directed towards anyone or anything and I was confused because I never felt like for no reason. Are you still in a state of grace?

I have been wondering about that for awhile.

 

[Toni]

Many times I get frustrated about someone or something. But I try to just pray it away. Angry how angry do you get?

If you are so upset that you can not even focus I would say that is questionable. But it would depend on your degree of anger.
When anger simmers or boils to hate and rage it becomes mortal. But to be mildly angry at someone or something is venial.

 

[JoyToBeCatholic]

one time I felt an inexplicable anger during Mass for no reason.

I don’t know if this will help, but sometimes I feel angry at mass b/c I’m in “hurry” mode and I have to sit still during mass. Do you arrive a few minutes early or are you just getting there in the nick of time? If I am not in the proper mindset before mass it can cause me to feel angry while I’m there.

As far as being in the state of grace, if you are not intentionally harboring anger about something then it’s not a sin - just an imperfection, or a venial sin at best. To have fallen completely from God’s grace would have required you to commit a mortal sin, and in order to have done that you would have had to consent to something seriously immoral/sinful. That said, if you are angry with someone or something in particular, and you are aware of it during mass, you could ask for the grace to overcome your anger. Anger is a natural feeling, and unless you are intentionally harboring anger and refuse to try to overcome it, it is a venial sin at best (or so I have been told by a priest a few years ago).

This is what I would do:
-If I only realized I was angry AFTER receiving communion, I wouldn’t worry about it, b/c it wasn’t intentional.
-If I realized I was angry before communion, I would ask God to help me overcome my anger and then receive communion.
-If I realized I was angry before communion but refused to ask God’s help (b/c I want to hold onto that anger for some reason), then I would not receive communion b/c I am then choosing to do something wrong.

~donna

 

[hurst]

JoyToBeCatholic:

This is what I would do:
-If I only realized I was angry AFTER receiving communion, I wouldn’t worry about it, b/c it wasn’t intentional.
-If I realized I was angry before communion, I would ask God to help me overcome my anger and then receive communion.
-If I realized I was angry before communion but refused to ask God’s help (b/c I want to hold onto that anger for some reason), then I would not receive communion b/c I am then choosing to do something wrong.

I second that. Good advice!

hurst

 

[BlueRain]

Thank You for clearing that up. I was just wondering about that. I only felt anger once and it wasn’t wanted. But you never know when you might be super mad at someone that you can’t focus.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt real rage or hate and I hope to God I never do. I can get pretty mad though, lol, but I usually get over soon.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

BlueRain:

I’m just curious to know something. I know that you have to be in a state of grace when you receive Communion.
But, what if you’re angry (maybe with someone or something) during Mass. Can you still receive Communion?

Also, one time I felt an inexplicable anger during Mass for no reason. It wasn’t directed towards anyone or anything and I was confused because I never felt like for no reason. Are you still in a state of grace?

I have been wondering about that for awhile.

Being angry is not sinful or a sin, it is a human emotion. What you do with that anger can be however.