Topic:  Are we called to be angry when bad things happen?

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: June 10, 2003

Moderator who originally posted this source: Father Phillip

Question:   I have a question: I usually watch EWTN's daily mass if I am unable to go to daily mass that day and today I I heard one of the priest say something that made me think.....He said from scripture of the gospel quote..He who is not angry when he has cause to be; has sinned... un quote... Isnt that saying that we are suppose to get angry when bad things happen to us? I thought we are not suppose to get angry and forgive those who tresspass against us? What is your thoughts on that passage? Thanks and God Bless

Answer: 

Dear Jacob,

Thanks for visiting the www.CatholicQandA.org website; it's always good to hear from a college student in California! And it's also great that you are a regular at daily Mass -- that's super!

First, let me say that I am completely unable to comment on what the Priest may or may not have meant in the daily Liturgy to which you refer -- since I wasn't there and didn't hear the broadcast, I just don't know. I'm sure that Father had something good to say, and I'm glad that the Lord used the comments to make you think!

Second, a very quick search of the Scripture did not turn up the precise quotation which your question indicates...that is probably more a reflection of my lack of skill than anything else. If you know exactly where in the Bible this passage is, I'd be pleased to have it.

Third, I do NOT believe that we are called to be angry when bad things happen to us.

Now, to be sure, I do believe that anger is a perfectly understandable and natural reaction; moreover, I do not believe that God holds that "anger reaction" against us. Rather, I think that God "uses" that anger reaction as a way to invite us to turn ourselves -- including our anger! -- over to God.

The anger that can arise within us when bad things happen can be an occasion of grace; whether that anger becomes sin or leads us to God depends, largely, on how we respond to the anger. If we hold on to the anger, then it probably will lead us to sin. But, if we open our anger to the Lord's healing, restoring grace, that natural anger reaction becomes the means by which God pours Divine Grace into our lives more fully.

You also mention forgiveness and anger in your question. Forgiveness is a process; for us human-beings it is rarely a one-time act. We forgive as much as we can, with the help of God; and then we move on. Often something occurs which brings the situation back into our consciousness -- at which point we have to invite God's Divine Spirit "back" into our lives. We forgive again as much as we are able to; and then we move on again. This experience is repeated as many times as is necessary -- each time going a bit deeper into the original siuation and its fall-out as well as moving a bit deeper into our capacity to forgive with God's help.

When anger surfaces -- especially after we think that we've already "forgiven" -- that anger can be the 'sign' that the Lord uses to call us into a deeper experience of compassion and forgiveness. So, in such a case anger can, in a way, be a good thing.

Hope this helps some. And please say a prayer for me when you're at Mass next time; I need all the prayerful support I can get!

God bless you!
Father Phillip