SAINT FABIAN, POPE AND MARTYR (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

Looking around at them with anger . . . 

All our lives we have been taught that anger is one of the seven deadly sins. But here we see Jesus, who was sinless, getting angry. How can we resolve that contradiction?

The truth is, anger is not always bad. In fact, sometimes it can be good. St. Thomas Aquinas taught that righteous anger is a strong reaction to injustice, and its purpose is to move us to correct whatever wrong we have witnessed. For instance, let’s say a neighbor has just said insulting things against a new member of your neighborhood. “Good anger” can move you to defend this newcomer or to gently correct your neighbor.

But anger can easily turn sinful. For example, “sinful anger” at your neighbor’s comments might move you to fire off an insult to him that only escalates the situation. When something like this happens, your anger not only harms your neighbor but also eats away at your own peace of mind. Anger like this robs us of joy and breeds distrust—and it can easily lead to other sins.

Jesus should be our model for the kind of anger that can spur us to positive action. In today’s Gospel (Mark 3:1-6), his anger moved him to take action. He didn’t allow his anger to fester, nor did he let it explode into rage. Rather, he controlled it with the grace of the Spirit and channeled it for good.

Notice that Jesus also felt sadness about his enemies’ lack of compassion—Mark says he was angry and “grieved” at their hardhearted attitude (3:5). In a way, righteous anger always includes a sense of sadness over whatever injustice we are seeing.

When you are angry at someone, remember Jesus’ example. Your anger may not be so intense if you combine it with a sincere desire that the person will change for the good of others and for himself.

Jesus understands how easy it is to let our anger get the best of us. Fortunately, we can lean on him. We can examine our motives and actions and ask Jesus to forgive us if we’ve done something wrong. Jesus is always ready to soften our hearts so that we have more room to love.

“Forgive me, Jesus, for the times I have given in to sinful anger.”

Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17
Psalm 110:1-4
Mark 3:1-6

WORD AMONG US