The EDGE – January 16, 2008 – I’m Getting Really Angry!

Open with a prayer.

Brainstorming Session: I’m Angry and I’m Not Gonna Take It Anymore – Have your child take a piece of paper and fold it lengthwise (hot dog style). On one half, have them brainstorm things that sixth-eighth graders do that make other people angry. On the other half, have them brainstorm things that sixth-eighth graders typically do when they are angry.

Have your child share their answers with you.

Scripture Proclamation: Read Genesis 4:3-16 with your child.

Catechetical Teaching: What We Do With Our Anger

“As humans, our actions often are controlled by our feelings, or ‘passions.’ The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that ‘feelings or passions are emotions or movements…that incline us to act or not to act in regard to something felt or imagined to be good or evil.’ The Catechism identifies anger as one of the principal passions, along with love, hatred, desire, fear, joy and sadness. In itself, anger is neither morally good nor morally bad. The way we react to it, however, can be good or can be sinful. The Catechism defines anger as ‘a desire for revenge.’ St. Thomas Aquinas explained that this desire can cause us to do evil to someone who should be punished – which is sinful – but it also can cause us to impose restitution to correct wrongs and maintain justice – which is praiseworthy. In many ways, anger is an emotional response that is difficult to prevent; what we can prevent, however, is taking a vengeful action that further tears down, rather than builds up, the body of Christ. In the Scripture reading from Genesis, we hear how Cain reacted to God’s looking with favor on Abel. In his anger, Cain killed his brother – definitely an example of a negative reaction to anger! There are other examples, however, that are more positive. When his daughter Julie was killed when the Oklahoma City federal building was bombed, Bud Welch got incredibly angry. He wanted to kill Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols with his bare hands. Bud Welch was very close to reacting to his anger with violence. Instead, he chose to react with compassion, and today he travels the country, speaking out against the death penalty and for the sanctity of human life. Although he still has periods of rage and anger he notes that those moments do not last long…sometimes we turn into a different person when we’re angry – sometimes it’s ugly and sometimes we make a real mess of things. As Catholics, however, we’re called to react in a different way that builds up, rather than tears down, the body of Christ. So the next time you get angry, make a choice…Will you be like Cain, reacting with violence and revenge? Or will you react with compassion and fairness and justice? It’s your choice” ~ The Edge Catholic Middle School Youth Ministry, Volume 4

Individual Process – Don’t Let Me Get Me! (Handout A) – Have your child quietly answer the questions on Handout A.

Discuss Handout A with your child.

Individual Process – Handling Your Anger in a Positive Way (Handout B) – Have your child quietly read the scenarios and give negative and positive reactions to each scenario.

Discuss Handout B with your child.

Summary Challenge – Challenge your child to remember that:

1. Anger is a natural human reaction to pain or suffering or evil. Anger is a passion, an emotional response that can be difficult to control.
2. What we can control is how we respond to our anger.
3. We can respond to our anger with violence, revenge and more pain. As Catholics, however, we’re called to respond to our anger with love, compassion, concern for others and a desire to correct a wrong, to reverse some evil.

Close with a Prayer – Prayer should be based on the session.