Righteous Anger

Third Sunday in Lent

March 3, 2024

John 2:13-25

She will tell you that my midlife crisis was when I came home in a new truck that I had not told her about. But she’d be wrong: It wasn’t a truck.

In my mind, my crisis moment was when I realized that I was angry – really, really angry – about everything all the time. It was, of course, hurtful to those around me and to myself. Fortunately, I was able to resolve those emotions, but I am always watchful to not allow those feelings of anger rise up beyond what is appropriate. There is a time and place for anger. But not every day and all day.

Today’s Gospel reading has been used by many people to justify their own outbursts of anger and rage. “Well, if Jesus can get mad, so can I!” But they are wrong. Jesus cleared out the money changers, not because of something they did to him, but because of the abuse they were causing to the poor who wanted to go to the temple. Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “Righteous anger is usually not about oneself. It is about those whom one sees being harmed and whom one wants to help.”

The story in the temple is not the only time Jesus expresses his anger, either. He is angry when religious leaders try to prevent him from healing on the Sabbath, when the disciples attempt to keep little children away from him, when the Pharisees refuse to acknowledge their own hypocrisy, and when a man with leprosy is forced to “beg” Jesus for healing. Jesus is never afraid to stand up for others when he sees a wrong being committed.

In today’s world, there are so many wrongs being committed. War, racism, police brutality on BIPOC, white supremacy, misogyny and sexism. Pollution is rampant. In the Pacific Ocean, there is an area twice the size of Texas full of plastic and garbage. Families are being separated at the border, young girls are trafficked by smugglers and gun violence is out of control.

These are the things I need to angry about. I can not and should not remain silent about these injustices to our society and our world. I do have a voice. I can speak for the marginalized and I can speak for the earth. I do not need to be afraid of speaking up. It is my duty as a baptized Christian to do so. I am only following the example of Jesus himself. His anger is used for justice and compassion; it reflects feelings of deep connection. I, too, need to be connected.

St. Francis of Assisi said:

     “Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance.

     Where there is patience and humility, there is neither anger nor vexation.

     Where there is poverty and joy, there is neither greed nor avarice.

     Where there is peace and meditation, there is neither anxiety nor doubt.”

Every Day