Using the Name

Is saying it when I am angry a sin?

Yes, though not necessarily a grave one. The second commandment forbids “every improper use of the names of God, Jesus Christ, but also of the Virgin Mary and all the saints”, CCC 2146 and the holiness of the name asks that we not use it “for trivial matters”. CCC 2155 God confides his name to believers, and “the gift of a name belongs to the order of trust and intimacy”; it is to come into our speech only “to bless, praise, and glorify it.” CCC 2143

Blasphemy in the strict sense consists in “uttering against God – inwardly or outwardly – words of hatred, reproach, or defiance; in speaking ill of God; in failing in respect toward him in one’s speech; in misusing God’s name.” It is “in itself a grave sin”, and its worst form is using God’s name “to cover up criminal practices, to reduce peoples to servitude, to torture persons or put them to death.” CCC 2148 Oaths that misuse the name, “though without the intention of blasphemy, show lack of respect for the Lord.” CCC 2149

Anger bears on how grave it is. A sin is mortal only when grave matter is “committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent”, CCC 1857 and “the promptings of feelings and passions can also diminish the voluntary and free character of the offense.” The gravest is “sin committed through malice, by deliberate choice of evil”. CCC 1860 So a word that escapes in anger is weighed differently from one said with deliberate contempt, but it is still a misuse of the name.

The denial of Saint Peter, 1610

2146

The second commandment forbids the abuse of God's name, i.e., every improper use of the names of God, Jesus Christ, but also of the Virgin Mary and all the saints.

2147

Promises made to others in God's name engage the divine honor, fidelity, truthfulness, and authority. They must be respected in justice. To be unfaithful to them is to misuse God's name and in some way to make God out to be a liar. Cf. 1 Jn 1:10.

2148

Blasphemy is directly opposed to the second commandment. It consists in uttering against God - inwardly or outwardly - words of hatred, reproach, or defiance; in speaking ill of God; in failing in respect toward him in one's speech; in misusing God's name. St. James condemns those "who blaspheme that honorable name [of Jesus] by which you are called." Jas 2:7. The prohibition of blasphemy extends to language against Christ's Church, the saints, and sacred things. It is also blasphemous to make use of God's name to cover up criminal practices, to reduce peoples to servitude, to torture persons or put them to death. the misuse of God's name to commit a crime can provoke others to repudiate religion. Blasphemy is contrary to the respect due God and his holy name. It is in itself a grave sin. Cf. CIC, can. 1369.

2149

Oaths which misuse God's name, though without the intention of blasphemy, show lack of respect for the Lord. the second commandment also forbids magical use of the divine name.

[God's] name is great when spoken with respect for the greatness of his majesty. God's name is holy when said with veneration and fear of offending him. St. Augustine, De serm. Dom. in monte 2, 5, 19: PL — Patrologia Latina (Migne).

2143

Among all the words of Revelation, there is one which is unique: the revealed name of God. God confides his name to those who believe in him; he reveals himself to them in his personal mystery. the gift of a name belongs to the order of trust and intimacy. "The Lord's name is holy." For this reason man must not abuse it. He must keep it in mind in silent, loving adoration. He will not introduce it into his own speech except to bless, praise, and glorify it. Cf. Zech 2:13; Ps 29:2; 96:2; 113:1-2.

2155

The holiness of the divine name demands that we neither use it for trivial matters, nor take an oath which on the basis of the circumstances could be interpreted as approval of an authority unjustly requiring it. When an oath is required by illegitimate civil authorities, it may be refused. It must be refused when it is required for purposes contrary to the dignity of persons or to ecclesial communion.

1857

For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must together be met: "Mortal sin is sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent." RP 17 # 12.

1860

Unintentional ignorance can diminish or even remove the imputability of a grave offense. But no one is deemed to be ignorant of the principles of the moral law, which are written in the conscience of every man. the promptings of feelings and passions can also diminish the voluntary and free character of the offense, as can external pressures or pathological disorders. Sin committed through malice, by deliberate choice of evil, is the gravest.

From the Catechism