Creative Expression of Anger
- davidwperk
- Feb 26
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Wednesday, February 26, 2025
The week of the seventh Sunday after the Epiphany
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:
21 ‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” 22But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,* you will be liable to judgement; . . . .23So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister* has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister,* and then come and offer your gift.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 948)
AM Psalm (120), 121, 122, 123; PM Psalm 124, 125, 126, (127)
Ruth 1:15-22; 2 Corinthians 1:12-22; Matthew. 5:13-20
Today we celebrate the Feast of Photini. (See below.)
David’s Reflections
In today’s Gospel, we read the first of six “you have heard it said, but I say unto you” statements of Jesus. Matthew clusters these six immediately after Jesus says “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” (Matt. 5:17) These six sayings, commonly called antitheses, could be understood as fulfilling the second commandment, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Anger, adultery, divorce, making oaths, retaliation, love of enemies). We see in them how Jesus fulfills Law and Prophets.
In today’s reading, Jesus normalizes anger as part of the human experience. He does not condemn anger; rather he condemns an uncreative, violent expression of anger. In this reading, Jesus identifies two roots of murder—unresolved anger and the devaluing of the other person. To slander another person as a moronic fool is to depersonalize and treat them as less than fully human. Combine that with anger unresolved and you have a toxic font that can spring forth in abusive behaviors, verbal harangues, and ultimately, murder.
Jesus puts us on notice that talking about another person in insulting, judgmental, dehumanizing ways must give way to talking with the other person about how your behavior may have offended or wounded them. Here we take the initiative if we have offended. In Matthew 18, Jesus says we must take the initiative if the other person has offended us. The key is awareness. Once we become aware of a ruptured relationship, whether the disruption was our or the other’s fault, we must take the creative step of talking with them directly.
Obviously, some situations might not require that. Minor inner friction often can be resolved by journaling or reflecting. In some instances, conversation might not be possible. The other person may have died. Or the other person might be a dangerous abuser from whom we have fled. We then have to find the freedom of forgiveness apart from direct contact. In such cases, forgiveness has not to do with improving a relationship but with finding freedom and healing. But the general rule is talk with the other person not about them.
I can recall feeling very angry with my ex wife and expressing it to her with strong verbiage. The thought occured to me, “Would you like to be free from this wounded connection with her?” That day I resolved to disconnect, to become free from the woundedness I felt. I was able to express that to her. She ultimately was able to make the same transition. Forgiveness involves just that, letting go of the other person and finding freedom from the woundedness that connects.
William Blake wrote in his poem “A Poison Tree”:
I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe;
I told it not, my wrath did grow.+
Jesus will enable us to name our anger and resolve it in creative ways. We can be candid with him and invoke his loving patience as we unpack and neutralize our anger’s power to wound us and others. Jesus will enable us to find and embody creative ways to do that.
+William Blake, Blake: Complete Writings. With Variant Readings. Ed. Geoffrey Keynes (London: Oxford, 1969), p. 218.
Collect of the Day, Epiphany 7
O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ , who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 236)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Photini, the Samaritan woman (John 4)
Collect of the Feast of Photini
O Almighty God, whose most blessed Son revealed to the Samaritan woman that He is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the World; Grant us to drink of the well that springs up to everlasting life that we may worship you in spirit and in truth through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Collect for Grace
Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100)
For the Diocese
O God, by your grace you have called us in this Diocese to a goodly fellowship of faith. Bless our Bishop(s) N. [and N.], and other clergy, and all our people. Grant that your Word may be truly preached and truly heard, your Sacraments faithfully administered and faithfully received. By your Spirit, fashion our lives according to the example of your Son, and grant that we may show the power of your love to all among whom we live; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 817)
In the Order of Worship for Evening
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, creator of the changes of day and night, giving rest to the weary, renewing the strength of those who are spent, bestowing upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the coming night; keep us from every sin, every evil, and every fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength of our life. To you be glory for endless ages. Amen. (BCP, 113)
A Collect for Mission
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP, 101)
Daily Office Gospel, Matthew 5:21-26
21 ‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” 22But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,* you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult* a brother or sister,* you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell* of fire. 23So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister* has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister,* and then come and offer your gift. 25Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court* with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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