15 March 2009

March 16, 2009 at 11:01 am · Filed under Front pages

The journey toward the cross brings us to the story of Jesus’ anger in the temple. This confusing and confronting story challenges us to reflect upon where our values and convictions are located. When what we believe is centred around the journey of a man who is prepared to respond to injustice bravely, or prepared to respond to suffering compassionately, or prepared to respond to life openly, or prepared to respond to the marginalized with welcome, then we are on track for discovering the values that we can live out of.

It does us well, when we feel our heckles rising, to ask what it is about. Is it about my personal need or want, my feeling of alienation or aloneness. All of those are valid feeling, I might add. Or is it about an experience of injustice, a violation of community, a principle of fairness and truth that has happened. Am I outraged in the face of the abuse of power? Understanding the seat of my anger, will help empower me to act appropriately. It I simply surrender to the feeling, then I will probably act inappropriately and overwhelm others. But if I consider carefuly my responses, and understand what values are being offended, then I can speak into any situation with clarity and purpose. And that is what is needed if I am to be a person of God, acting justly, walking humbly, and living graciously.

Anne.

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