Have you ever given much thought to “righteous anger”? We know Jesus displayed this anger in the temple when he proclaimed to the crowds: “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” (Luke 19:46) Jesus was indeed very angry when he saw what the people were doing to God’s holy temple. Out of Jesus’ perfect love for the Father righteous anger emerged. However, is it ever right for us to display righteous anger when we see others sinning?
Before we can move forward and answer that question we must develop an understanding of what righteousness actually means. According to the Jewish culture righteousness is a “right relationship with God”. Righteousness is more of a verb than a noun, it is something we are continually doing. All relationships constantly emerge and our relationship with God is no different.
Jesus’ Righteousness
Experiencing a right relationship with God calls us to spend time with him, continually surrendering ourselves to him. This is what Jesus did. Throughout scripture we frequently read of Jesus going off to pray and spend time with the Father – often for extended periods of time. Jesus enjoyed a love relationship with God that we can only imagine. Amazingly, we are invited into their love relationship. Our hearts will never experience complete peace until we accept this invitation.
Righteous Love
Righteousness is all about love. Jesus came and simplified the commandments for us. He told us to love God above all else and to love our brothers as ourselves. When we follow these two commandments we move into righteousness – a right relationship with God.
You see, when we experience a broken relationship with a loved one it hurts – it hurts deep. Not much surpasses the pain of a broken human heart. When we break from God a hole is created in our hearts – even when we don’t understand why we hurt so. The only cure for this pain is to run back to God and re-establish our love relationship with him. And there is one path back to him – through his Son Jesus Christ.
The New Temple
With Jesus Christ everything was revealed. The old law was fulfilled and the holy temple moved into the hearts of mankind. Yes, God no longer lives in the old man made temple. God lives within each and every one of us – we are his temple. When we grow in righteousness his temple becomes a more beautiful and inviting abode for God to dwell within. Growing in righteousness is achieved when we follow the path Jesus laid before us, a path that calls us to love in greater measure.
What does this path look like? Well, Jesus did indeed display righteous anger; however, before he displayed righteous anger he displayed what I like to call righteous love. Jesus loved the people everywhere he went. He healed them, he rebuked them out of love, and his heart was always set on the Father. Jesus reveals to mankind the way into righteous love.
I suppose a human being like you and I can rightly display righteous anger; after all, all things are possible with God. However, before displaying righteous anger one must do what Jesus did and display righteous love – love for God and love for others. I for one have a long way to go and I certainly have not earned the privilege of displaying righteous anger. I’m still working on growing in love for my brothers and sisters in the world, something I can only do by following the way of Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving
It is Thanksgiving in the United Sates today (I am posting this reflection on Thursday, November 23rd). This is a time when families gather together to give gratitude for the many blessings in our lives. I for one am going to focus on loving those at my table more than I loved them yesterday, trusting that this love is making God’s temple more beautiful and comfortable for him to dwell within.
Divine Love
We are continually immersed in the healing love of Christ, even during the hard times. And at any moment we can receive his healing love. If you would like to read more I invite to read one of my blog posts here: Immersed in Divine Love
God bless all of you – see you next week Friday! – Carolyn
Sacred Heart of Jesus – have mercy on us.
Father God – consume us.
Holy Spirit – enter into us.
Mother Mary – pray for us.
Saint Paul – pray for us.
Saint Andre Dung-Lac – pray for us.
