Snapping at a parent a sin?

[JackVk]

Today I was at the car wash vacuuming out my car when I thought I accidentally sucked up my iPod. When this happened, I called my mom and started to get irritated. I eventually snapped at her, falsely accusing her of saying I deliberately sucked it up, whcih I know was not true. After I found it in the glove box (fortunately), I called her to tell her I found it and apologized for snapping at her. But can I still take communion tomorrow at Mass? I just went to confession today, and I suffer from scrupulosity. I know mortal sin requires grave matter, full knowledge, and full consent. But would the knowledge and/or consent part be present, since I was just in a fit of anger and not truly desiring to offend God? I’ve learned that you basically have to go out of your way to sin mortally, with a premeditated intent of rebelling against God. Your thoughts?

 

[fermat]

It may have been a venial sin. We are to respect our parents. I don’t think snapping at someone, even a parent, qualifies for mortal sin in most cases. You did the right thing by going to confession, so the issue is moot. Just think before you speak.

 

[JackVk]

It may have been a venial sin. We are to respect our parents. I don’t think snapping at someone, even a parent, qualifies for mortal sin in most cases. You did the right thing by going to confession, so the issue is moot. Just think before you speak.

I had gone to confession before this happened.

 

[fermat]

For a sin to mortal, it must be of grave matter, done with the full consent of the will and done with full knowledge that what you are doing is wrong. Snapping at someone usually does not fit the bill because that tends to be a knee-jerk reaction, not done with full consent of the will.

That being said, if you are a holy person, it could be considered mortal. If a teenager steals a stick of gum, it is probably venial. If St. Francis had done it, it would probably be mortal. He would really have to muscle past the the sin-gag reflex to steal something.

Bring it up at your next confession and ask for guidance.

 

[PiousFriend]

Today I was at the car wash vacuuming out my car when I thought I accidentally sucked up my iPod. When this happened, I called my mom and started to get irritated. I eventually snapped at her, falsely accusing her of saying I deliberately sucked it up, whcih I know was not true. After I found it in the glove box (fortunately), I called her to tell her I found it and apologized for snapping at her. But can I still take communion tomorrow at Mass? I just went to confession today, and I suffer from scrupulosity. I know mortal sin requires grave matter, full knowledge, and full consent. But would the knowledge and/or consent part be present, since I was just in a fit of anger and not truly desiring to offend God? I’ve learned that you basically have to go out of your way to sin mortally, with a premeditated intent of rebelling against God. Your thoughts?

I understand your concern completely. I am not necessarily scrupulous but I really do want to honor the Lord and the Church. If I have any doubt I would try to contact a priest before Mass. Sometimes you can catch the celebrant in the lobby before the procession, and maybe he would have enough time to tell you if the matter in question was a mortal sin. Ideally, he would have time for your confession but perhaps that is asking too much, considering how busy most priests are. But at least you would know the truth in an official way instead of endlessly belaboring the point in your own mind.

That is what I would do. “Father, I said something disrespectful to my dad yesterday. Is that a mortal sin and should I abstain from the Eucharist?” If he says no, well, at least I’ve attended Mass and honored the Sabbath and now I need to get to confession as soon as possible. I’m grateful that God has given us the sacraments. It would be best not to sin but I am awed by how much God loves me that He gives us Himself and His Church to shepherd us.