This morning’s homily at Mass was one of the most powerful for me in a long time. The priest discussed how to manage anger—explaining what it is and how to harness it for good rather than evil. It was profound for me to hear, and I want to pass it on to you, as well. Even if you are not Catholic, this message is still important to hear. I encourage you to take the 15 minutes and listen.
If you don’t have time to watch or would prefer not to, here is what he said:
Anger is a surface-level emotion. It results from a lack of control, fear, or pain. If you can recognize where your anger is coming from, you can manage it and achieve a more peaceful mind and spirit. He offers three prayers you can use for each underlying reason for your anger.
Manage Anger that Results from a Lack of Control
No one is in control of everything except God. If you feel helpless, pray The Lord’s Prayer, which states, “…thy will be done.” This will help you accept that God can effect change, although it is not in your control. If you can change something, figure out what you must do to make the necessary adjustments. The Serenity Prayer can be helpful here:
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
Manage Anger from Fear
If you are afraid, ask the Lord to give you the grace and support you need to trust in His plans. Surrender yourself to him.
Anger Due to Pain
Ask the Lord to heal you if your anger is related to hurt or pain. The best way to do this is through the Holy Communion, but you can always ask Him for healing anytime.
I encourage you to revisit this often, mainly if you cannot release your anger. These prayers might help you on your journey to peace. God Bless.