GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 15TH JUNE 2017
THURSDAY OF THE TENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: 2Corinthians 3:15 – 4:1, 3-6
PSALM: Psalm 85:9-14
GOSPEL: Matthew 5:20-26
THEME: ANGER
Anger is not a mere fleeting emotion. It is a force which controls if it is not controlled. The steam of uncontrolled anger expresses itself in words, actions and inactions with disastrous consequences. Friendships have been destroyed because of anger; marriages have broken down because of anger; there are people languishing in prisons because of anger; civil and world wars have snuffed out the lives of millions because of anger. Uncontrolled anger is an escalator to the gates of hell.
In narrating Jesus’ sermon on the mount, Matthew presents us with six antithesis that can be found in Mt 5:21-28 (An antithesis is a kind of rhetorical contrast of ideas marked by the choice and arrangement of words). The formula used in each of the six antithesis is: “You have heard…but I say…” In each of the six statements, Jesus makes reference to an Old Testament law and then stamps his divine authority by perfecting and giving it a new rendition with a deeper meaning.
The Gospel text for today presents us with the first of the six statements: “You have heard how it was said to our ancestors: ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raca,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell” (Matt. 5:20-22) (Raca is an insult – verbal abuse – in the Aramaic language which means something like ‘blockhead’, ‘empty head’ or ‘numskull’).
As anger grows, its disastrous effects also grow. We see in the above text, an escalating movement from a local court verdict to the Jewish Sanhedrin and then to eternal punishment. In sum, it does not pay to harbour anger for long.
Do you feel embittered on account of something that has happened? Are you harbouring anger in your heart? The best way to deal with anger, according to Jesus, is reconciliation. Take note that Jesus makes it clear in the Gospel text that we must take the initiative for reconciliation. We should not wait for the other party to extend a hand of peace before responding. We should do everything within our means to sow the seeds of peace wherever there is strife.
We reconcile not because we are at fault but because that is the way to go. Reconciliation is the act of reconstructing a bridge that both offender and offended need to cross over to paradise.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you came to bring us freedom. May your Spirit of truth hover over every heart that stands in need of freedom, and as you inspire us to take steps of reconciliation may we discover the peace and joy that comes from the Holy Spirit. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).