Anger is a powerful emotion and can get out of hand and we can say things we regret.
I am sure you can think about more than one experience in your own life that has led you to apologize for going too far. I certainly can. However, anger is an important emotion to challenge
injustice and the abuse of power.
We see Jesus displaying righteous anger today in the Gospel from John, upturning the tables of the money-changers in the temple and driving them out including the animals, 'Take all this out of here and stop turning my Father's house into a market.' I can find anger disturbing as no doubt those who witnessed Jesus' display. Who gives him the right to do such a thing? Of course we know exactly who gives him the right. Later on we read, the disciples on reflection saw his outburst as a sign of zeal for his Father's House.
In the face of those affected by immeasurable loss, abuse and injustice even within our Church, we need to allow them to express their anger and pain and simply sit with our own feelings of shame and discomfort. Righteous anger needs to be expressed. Jesus has taught us that.
The song I have chosen for you this week is called 'In his name,' track 11, from the album Serenity. I attended a lecture in Chicago by Fr Brian Massingale, an African American priest, who presented a two day module on racism from the Catholic African American perspective.
Lord, in the light of our Lenten journey, continue to renew us and help us to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.
Blessings on your week.