Whoever is angry with his brother

Whoever is angry with his brother
2 Cor 3,15- 4,1.3-6; Ps 84; Mt 5,20-26
13 JUNE
In the Old Testament, it is said that while David was cursed, he did not get angry, he did not answer with evil, he kept silent and put up with everything in silence. He lived very meekly. He offered that insult to the Lord as a discount for his sins.

As David was approaching Bahurim, a man named Shimei, the son of Gera of the same clan as Saul’s family, was coming out of the place, cursing as he came. He threw stones at David and at all the king’s officers, even though all the soldiers, including the royal guard, were on David’s right and on his left. Shimei was saying as he cursed: “Away, away, you murderous and wicked man! The Lord has requited you for all the bloodshed in the family of Saul, in whose stead you became king, and the Lord has given over the kingdom to your son Absalom. And now you suffer ruin because you are a murderer.” Abishai, son of Zeruiah, said to the king: “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over, please, and lop off his head.” But the king replied: “What business is it of mine or of yours, sons of Zeruiah, that he curses? Suppose the Lord has told him to curse David; who then will dare to say, ‘Why are you doing this?'” Then the king said to Abishai and to all his servants: “If my own son, who came forth from my loins, is seeking my life, how much more might this Benjaminite do so! Let him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. Perhaps the Lord will look upon my affliction and make it up to me with benefits for the curses he is uttering this day.” David and his men continued on the road, while Shimei kept abreast of them on the hillside, all the while cursing and throwing stones and dirt as he went. The king and all the soldiers with him arrived at the Jordan tired out, and stopped there for a rest (2Sam 16,5-14).

In the New Testament we know that Jesus, under any kind of insult, including the scourging, did not even say a word. He was silent. He was not angry. While he was crucified, before offering his sacrifice to the Father, he reconciled himself with all his executioners, excusing them and asking for forgiveness from the Father for them. Gospel said and Gospel lived.

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. [Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”] They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.” Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Lk 23,33-43).

We understand the teaching of Jesus if we know the essence or foundation that is the very truth of the Christian. Every disciple of Jesus, as part of his body, is called to offer his life for the redemption and salvation of the world. He can do this in the greatest purity of the heart, mind, thoughts, desires and will. If the other is to be saved from my suffering, can I be angry if I get insulted? If I get angry, not only do I put myself out of the mission, I contradict Christ in meekness.

I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. “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. Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him. Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Amen, I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.

Jesus wants every one of his disciples to always see himself from the body of Christ with the eyes of the Holy Spirit. He in Christ is constituted as a man of reconciliation, peace, forgiveness, goodness and mercy. To give these goods he is called to deprive himself of his own body.

Mother of God, Angels and Saints arrange that every Christian reveals Christ Jesus with his life.