On Righteous Anger

Anger seems almost in complete opposition to the law of Love that is central to the Christian faith. And yet last Sunday at mass I was given a whole new perspective of what anger meant in the context of our Faith. The theme for the homily that day was Righteous Anger. When Jesus stepped into the temple and chased everyone out, his anger was rooted in Love. Love for the father, and Love for the rest of the people who did not know any better. His anger was also rational, where he overturned the tables of the money-changers who were richer and were capitalising on the opportunity to make more money, he was gentler to the pigeon sellers who were trying to make an honest living.

We are called too, to be filled with righteous anger about issues that we know we must stand up for. An example would be supporting the Pro-life movement. I have always come from a perspective that I cannot do much for ideological tussles in a practical sense and was content with just supporting in prayer. While praying is fundamental, I have learnt that I am called to go beyond that, and to actually be activated and zealous. Angry where necessary and outspoken when called upon. Sometimes action is most crucial to being a witness for Christ. And as I stood on Houghton Street talking to others about the issue of Pro-life, I realised that I was angry, but more importantly I realised that I loved. I was the voice for the unborn child and I loved the unborn child.

I pray that in this period of lent, as we grow closer to the Lord, that zeal for His house will consume us and that we will feel a righteous anger when we are called to defend the faith, all the while knowing that it is in Love that we are called, and it is in Love that we will give our anger, our voice and our actions.



- posted on behalf of Annabel Lee