“I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment …whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.” (Matthew 5:22)

We all know there can be angst, frustration, and many negative feelings in our lives. This is a normal human condition, but we must not dwell there. We must learn to hold our tongue and move on from that state of mind – staying in the negative damages ourselves. Anger enslaves us, separating us from our brothers and God.

Christ tells us we are responsible for our actions, but even further, for our thoughts. He is asking us to change our behavior, but more so to change our minds. He is asking for metanoia, true change, repentance, and reparation.

“…go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:24)

If we must struggle against someone, then let us do that without anger. Let love be the force that engages. This sounds counterintuitive, but Christ is asking us to change our hearts, that our approach be loving and just, and that as we engage with others, even in difficult situations, we may all resemble Christ ever closer.

“…a veil lies over the hearts of the children of Israel, but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:15-17)

Develop a heart that is free of the tyranny of anger. Open an embracing, caring mind and eyes that see others through Christ. These are all part of our metanoia. Let us ask Jesus Eucharistic to unchain our hearts from the spirit of anger, that Christ’s love be ever in us, and that peaceful hearts be our recompense.

Let us pray:

Lord, help us defeat the spirit of anger. Please, cultivate in us pure hearts free of the enemy’s oppression, that we may love as you love and have your everlasting peace. Amen.