Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
Our readings begin today with a bit of divine wisdom: “Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight.” The reading continues: “Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the LORD?
The enjoyment of anger (hugging it tight) gets us into trouble. I often think that the person I may be angry with is having a great day. I’m the one who is not. That person might not even know I am angry. So, my anger, more often than not, is harming me more than the person I am angry with. Anger is a cancer that eats at the soul of the person who is “hugging it tight.” The solution? Try to let it go! I know, I know. Easier said than done. Yet, still necessary for healthy living.
Jesus gives a parable that teases out the meaning of our first reading. In the Gospel, he tells the story of a man who is forgiven a great debt. Yet the same man goes on to expect repayment from another person who owes him a much lessor debt. His lack of mercy, just after receiving so much of it, is uncovered by his master. So, the unforgiving man has his larger debt imposed once again and is “handed over to the torturers” until his debt was paid in full. The words of the master in the parable of Jesus are important for us to absorb: “Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?” If he had, he would not be in the prison of his own making.
How many people do we know who live in the prison of hatred, being tortured by the anger they “hug tight” within them? Too many!
Let’s not be one of them.
Now remember, to forgive someone who has harmed you doesn’t necessarily mean that you should once again put yourself in harm’s way. Sometimes we need to forgive and take a new direction.
What might be the solution to the disproportionate and unhealthy anger that sometimes wells up within us that is not easily resolved? Well, we can begin by remembering just how much the Lord has forgiven us. Then share the mercy we have received from God as a gift to be given to others. “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us” sums it up. We pray it every day. It is a prayer that is meant to change us more than it is meant to change those who anger us. It is necessary for a more spiritually healthy life. To repeat, “Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the LORD?”
Have a blessed week everyone.