Transformation is key to the Christian life. Here's how St. Paul puts it in our first reading today from 2 Corinthians 4: "All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit."
In the Gospel reading from Matthew 5, Jesus teaches about anger. Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.” Did you hear that? Jesus equates anger with killing!
We live in an angry age. It seems that everyone is angry about something. The "victim mentality" has taken hold of so many. Politicians and the media are constantly stoking anger, because they know it's good for business. It's difficult to avoid, isn't it? While righteous anger can often lead to good, the kind of anger about which Jesus speaks never does. Let's turn the heat down and "be reconciled" with those brothers and sisters we are angry with.
Father, give us the grace to be people of forgiveness and grace, and not wallow in constant anger. Amen.
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