02-12-26

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 12, 2026
I heard someone say recently that righteous anger (indignation) burns long and slow, but rage burns fast and often leaves us too exhausted to do anything beyond the initial moment. Scripture is sort of all over the place in regard to anger, at least at first glance. In Matthew 5, early in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago, ‘Don’t commit murder, and all who commit murder will be in danger of judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with their brother or sister will be in danger of judgment” (21-22). In Colossians, Paul told his readers that they were to put away, among other things, anger (3:8). Yet in Ephesians, Paul wrote, “Be angry without sinning. Don’t let the sun set on your anger” (4:26), which implies that we are going to be angry, but there needs to be some intentional control. With all that said, I find Proverbs 19:11 helpful: “Insightful (wise) people restrain their anger…” The Hebrew word we translate as “restrain” is: arak, which could be translated as defer, to lengthen, or draw out. Restrain gives the impression of holding back, but the Hebrew word is something closer to spread out. To me, that sounds a lot like allowing our anger to burn slowly and over a lengthy period of time. Of course, I am not talking about the anger over your neighbor’s dog pooping in your yard or someone cutting you off in traffic. Instead, this slow and expansive anger rises in response to injustice and unwarranted suffering. It recognizes that we often did not get where we are overnight, and though we’d like to see dramatic change by Saturday, it’s probably going to take a whole lot longer… assuming we do not burn out after 48 hours. God needs us here today and six months from now and even further into the future.

I’m not looking to be angry for the sake of anger, but I do want you, Merciful and Just God, to teach me how empathy for those who are suffering simply because of hate or scapegoating is not pleasing to you. The life of faith demands that I be a reflection of Jesus who did not choose avoidance or silence. Instead, he became an embodiment of your Kin(g)dom of justice, kindness, and love. They killed him for it, yet the resurrection continues to point to how the murderous ways of immoral systems will not ultimately claim victory. And if it is at all possible, I want my life to communicate clearly an unwavering commitment to your beautiful vision of a world redeemed by the power of love. Amen.