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Sixth Sunday After Trinity [Matthew 5:17-26; Exodus 20:1-17] In the Name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit; The Scriptures seem to talk a lot about anger, don't they? Read thru your Bible, and you see people are constantly doing things in anger. God Himself tells us He is angry and jealous of all false gods. He is angry at those who persist in iniquity. But now, we heard our Lord Jesus telling us rather firmly that not only are we supposed to avoid lashing out at a brother, but even to not be angry with him - from the inside. Even though it is perhaps one of the most common human emotions we have; even though it seems it would be wrong not to be angry, Jesus says that simply being angry at a brother (that is to say, one who is baptized) makes you liable to judgment. An insult means you're asking for hell. Probably nothing can get you to hell quite as easily as anger. Why is God so angry at people who are angry? -It's because of what Jesus says right before He talks about anger today: "Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Now, this doesn't mean you should simply try to appear more morally upright than the Scribes and Pharisees. No, in fact, if you're trying for an outward appearance of righteousness by not breaking certain laws and the Ten Commandments, you won't be able to help but quickly becoming angry. If an outward appearance of morality is what is demanded, you quickly get into a match of he-said-she-said because it is demanded everybody always has to be right and can't be wrong. If a mere outward appearance of righteousness is demanded, then you will always be defending your own image and reputation while blaming someone else for the problem; or foolishly exalting yourself while others are debased; or only looking at your own list of duties so you can appear good, but failing to truly love and serve your neighbor. Anger at a brother is self-righteousness personified. It means you believe that you are rightly deserving of everything good, and better than what you are getting, while others are not. It means you don't believe God will be good to you; and so you are taking matters into your own hands. Anger doesn't necessarily mean you don't believe there is a God. But it does mean you believe He's good-for-nothing for you. And it tells others it's the same about God for them. But if God wants you to know anything about Him, it is that He is good. He will provide for all your needs and does. He is willing to give, and work all things out for your good, even as He has in so many ways. He knows your knows your situation, and He does hear your prayers. In fact, God has sent His only Son into the flesh to dwell among us to show that He knows and cares, often confronting people in situations like you and me who often saw injustice; even as He still lives and cares today, and even has invited you to His table today. And in fact, Jesus has laid down His life, and given this Sacrament, as your surest pledge and guarantee of this. Jesus even chose to be eliminated because of your unjust anger and the anger of others, so that God would not eliminate you in His anger even though He rightly could have. Instead, with this He even does quite the opposite. Instead, with sending Jesus to die in your place, covering your sins, God pledges to give you anything else you need as well - just ask Him. It is interesting to see that even after what our Lord Jesus said today, He Himself was very angry at certain times at certain people. He cleansed the temple, for example, even overturning tables with a whip of chords in hand. He was angry at Pharisees on multiple occasions. He was angry at His own disciples more than once. ...And yet He warns us of being angry at our brothers, telling us how anger would lead us to hell. ...Why is it this way? Was He not practicing what He preached? Well, while Jesus too was angry at people for certain things, He never was angry when He Himself was suffering all kinds of senseless, undeserved brutality, injustice, or betrayal. He knew He could expect it in this sinful world. Nor was He angry at others when He was being mistreated on the way to the cross. ...All those times when God's people are angry, taking sides amongst themselves, or elevating themselves against over someone else, He has a firm warning. But He never gets angry when others are angry at Him. What are we to do when we are mistreated and have injustice dumped on us (and it is indeed very much a reality that we are dealt unjustly at times)? Or what should we do when a brother will not listen to us even though multiple people show him his wrongs, and we try pleading for peace and reconciliation? What should we do when God sends tragedies our way, or when the wicked prosper and good suffer? At such times this is where God wants you to be angry at Him - Yes, to be angry with Him. Now, what I don't mean by that is to run away from Him or retaliate against Him - that would be self-righteous. But instead, tell Him you're angry at Him, as many of the Psalms do. Plead your case for justice. Tell Him the problem in prayer. He will hear. For the sake of Jesus, who took His anger at the cross for you, He will hear you and act accordingly. That's why even right after warning about anger at a brother today Jesus still spoke about going to court. If you could only expect condemnation as you went before God-the-Judge against a brother, there would be no purpose in even thinking of going to court at all. But indeed there is a court. It's not for hearing brother-against-brother bickering at each other. But now instead, it's for bringing your case to God the Judge and Ruler of all, to act for you, His child. And indeed, God must hear you for Jesus' sake. He has died in your place, so your sins would be forgiven. He's made you His son or daughter in Holy Baptism. God will hear and avenge His own. Tell Him how He is being unfair to you, how it appears He's forgotten you, and how this is becoming an embarrassment to Him and you, as a member of the people in this world He has redeemed and promised to bless. He will grant what is needed so that you are vindicated and taken care of. He wants His Church and His faithful to do well and to show forth their light to this world - showing all His glory and goodness in Jesus. When you do such, you're doing the opposite of self-righteousness. Instead, with prayer in Jesus' name, you are showing that Christ is your righteousness alone. And so by this our Father is more than happy with us. Likewise, as a son of God, don't just refrain from returning evil for evil, but seek to show justice after the pattern of Christ. In the heat of a potential conflict, seek the good of others. Seek to cover their shame... for that is what your Father does. When there are those times you are waiting for God to act, don't take matters into your own hands; and don't let anger, bitterness, vengeance, and self-righteousness stew inside of you. A mind as such is the devil's workshop. Instead, wait patiently, and think of how to reconcile and resolve matters instead. Pray. And consider all the more the example of Christ our Lord and many thousands of saints before you. Vindication does come with those who firmly wait on the Lord. Fill your mind with good things in the meantime. Think on God's word and promises for this situation. Think of what's in the better interest of others, praying for them according to God's good will. Don't merely hold your tongue. Use it for prayer and reconciliation. Like this, God will do what is best for His Church, best for this world, best for your enemy, and best for you. He loves you, and looks on you with His favor. He is looking to do you good. Amen. |