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Anger is a human reality and all of us have gotten angry a least once in our lives. The proper use of anger, it seems, is the theme of our gospel reading.
There are three things you should keep in mind when you are angry. One, anger is only a reaction. We cannot use anger as a proaction. We cannot live with anger. Anger should be used only as a reaction against evil. Anger should be used only to correct what is sinful. Anger should be used only as a reaction. And yet, we know that many of us have started to get so acquainted with anger that we can live with it comfortably already. It is un-Christlike.
Second, anger should be used constructively. Anger should not be used to cause the death of other people. Anger should not be used to bring about the destruction of a person. Anger should be used as a remedy for conversion. Anger should be used only as an invitation to constructive reformation.
My third point is drawn from the striking events that happened after the Lord got angry with the fig tree and after He got angry at the temple. The evangelist who narrates both incidents puts prayer at the close of each. Again, if we have to be honest with the way we have expressed our anger, we know that our anger has not been followed by prayer for those whom we got angry with. We are so angry. We are so angry with God, and angry with everyone. When our emotional temperature rises and we claim to be “hot-heads”, we are angry with the world. But certainly, that is not the way Christ expects us to use the gift of anger.
Let us check the gift of anger. Anger is a gift; it is not a liability. When we get angry with evil and lovingly express it for the sake of construction, we are within bounds. When we express our anger but accompany it with prayer for the sake of conversion, we have used anger according to God’s plan
PIOUS ANGER
Mt 21:19
Jesus In My Heart
