Today’s Gospel is one of my favorite passages in the scriptures because it shows Jesus going “Dirty Harry” on the money changers. This is an example of righteous anger. We like to imagine our Lord being perpetually kind and compassionate, but Jesus had his frustrations and moments of exasperation, too. This is the one time when Jesus allowed his anger to manifest in a very physical manner.
Often, people confess anger as a sin. However, anger is an emotion; no morality is attached to it. Instead, it is what we do with the anger that is either sinful, justified, or righteous. Our feelings and emotions are responses to situations. How we act on those responses determines whether we are sinful or not.
The commandments articulated in the first reading remind us of a baseline for our morality. But each commandment can be further expanded and elucidated upon to reflect life in 2024. For example, “You shall not steal” encompasses more than just physically taking someone’s property. It also refers to taking people’s time and energy, taking someone’s passwords or identity, and possibly even ruining someone’s reputation (in conjunction with the commandments about not bearing false witness or killing). It also includes cheating on exams or plagiarizing papers.
While we can justify many of our actions and try to explain away our behaviors or responses to situations, ultimately, we are responsible for what we do and say, and no one else is. I cannot blame another for my actions because I chose to do something.
This week, reflect on the commandments and look at them broadly. Ask yourself, “Have I been faithful to God’s will, or have I tried to place the blame on another?”
Msgr. John
