Daily Catholic Lectio
Thu, 12 June 2025
Tenth Week in Ordinary Time – Thursday
2 Corinthians 3:15-4:1, 3-6. Matthew 5:20-26
Turning Away from Anger
“Whoever is angry with a brother or sister will be liable to judgment!” (Matthew 5:22)
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus exhorts His disciples that their righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees. Referring to the commandments given by Moses in the Old Testament, Jesus wants His disciples not only to observe these commandments externally but to interiorize the virtues they point to. He takes the commandment, “You shall not kill,” and goes deeper into its root—the emotion of anger. Unresolved anger within can lead a person down the path to violence. Anger hardens the heart, obstructs reconciliation, and leads to bitterness. Left unchecked, it manifests as harsh words like “You fool!” or “You worthless one!” and may eventually erupt into destructive actions. To sever the link between emotion, speech, and action, we must confront anger at its origin.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (No. 2302) teaches that “anger is a desire for revenge” and that “murder begins in the heart.” Anger is one of the seven capital sins (CCC 1866). Saint John Paul II, in Dives in Misericordia (No. 14), affirms: “Anger divides us. Mercy unites us.”
In the Old Testament, Elisha—often referred to as the prophet of powerful deeds—is seen giving way to anger against a group of children (cf. 2 Kings 2:23-25). As he returns from receiving the prophetic mantle of Elijah, some youths mock him, shouting, “Go away, baldy!” Elisha curses them, and immediately two she-bears come out of the forest and maul forty-two of them. Later, through a compassionate woman of Shunem, God softens Elisha’s heart. He learns that mercy, not anger, is the true foundation of prophetic life.
Anger severely impacts our relationships. It gives rise to jealousy, comparisons, grudges, hostility, and hatred—corroding family and social bonds. At the heart of many of today’s issues—racial hatred, religious intolerance, caste-based violence—lies the unchecked emotion of anger.
As Scripture counsels: “Be angry, but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” (Ephesians 4:26)
Fr Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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