Jesus tells His disciples they must be holier than the religious leaders of the time (Mt 5:20). Then the first thing Jesus focuses on is anger. The old covenant forbade the expression of anger through murder or violence, but Jesus expects even more. He warns: "What I say to you is: everyone who grows angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; any man who uses abusive language toward his brother shall be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and if he holds him in contempt he risks the fires of Gehenna" (Mt 5:22). We cannot even go to the altar and pray if we're aware of someone who is angry with us (Mt 5:24). We must "lose no time" and settle with our opponent immediately (Mt 5:25).

Jesus seems to be over-reacting to the problem of anger. The truth is that we are under-reacting. Anger is often the open door through which the devil enters. Therefore, "the sun must not go down on your wrath; do not give the devil a chance to work on you" (Eph 4:26-27). Anger is frequently the root of bitterness, unforgiveness, violence, and a whole host of evils. Anger was even the root of the opposition to Jesus and resulted in His crucifixion (Jn 7:23). We must immediately take every angry thought or feeling to Jesus. He alone can save us from anger.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, November 28, 1998

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 1, 1998