GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 13TH FEBRUARY 2017
MONDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: Genesis 4:1-15, 25
PSALM: Psalm 50:1,8,16-17,20-21
GOSPEL: Mark 8:11-13
THEME: ANGER
One of the weekend activities I undertook as a seminarian was Prison apostolate. It was part of the training programme to become a missionary priest. I would go to the Prison every Saturday and engage the inmates in Bible Sharing. I met some really great guys behind the bars. As we shared our stories, I came to a greater understanding of how mismanaged human emotions can easily destroy destinies and make one a prisoner for life. In a fit of anger, some had committed crimes that made headlines.
Anger, when not managed well, clouds reason and makes a brute animal out of a human being. In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame.”
Cain’s ill-choice to murder Abel is a clear example of mismanaged anger. The author writes, “Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. The LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it’ ” (Gen. 4:5-7).
The anger of Cain appears to have been triggered by frustration and jealousy. His offering had not found favour with the Lord, whereas that of his brother had been favourably accepted by the Lord. By choosing to kill his brother, Cain destroyed his own destiny (Gen. 4:10-12).
Anger is both an emotion and a choice. As an emotion, it is within us and external events only arouse it; but as a choice, we can choose to control how we feel. When we fail to control anger, anger controls us and makes us prisoners in our own bodies.
Do you feel angry on account of something that is happening or has happened? Quick! Take charge of that emotion and tame it. Yes anger, when not managed well, “is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured” (Mark Twain).
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, pour water upon the flame of anger that is consuming my soul. Speak peace to my stormy heart and raging thoughts, and keep me calm in your peaceful presence. 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).