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(1) Unlike us, God never acts out of anger or retaliation. Actually, Jonah knows this. He says the right words when he tells God why he fled: "I knew that you were a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, rich in clemency, loathe to punish." But he doesn't really get it. Do we? Do we really believe that, beyond our wildest dreams, despite our worst sins, we are loved with an extravagant love that is also eternal? (2) Our anger, no matter how well justified, never serves our own well being (Jonah is dying from anger), the well being of others, or God's purposes. No wonder the wisdom of ages tells us, "Never let the sun go down on your anger!" I have also discovered over the years that an angry person cannot minister to others. He or she needs first to be healed (perhaps even to be exorcised) before being truly able to serve others in love-- which is always what Christ calls us to. (3) Finally -- and our Gospel today gives us the clue when Jesus says, "Here is how to pray...we forgive all who do us wrong...." we can only act this way (as God acts) when we are in a stance of prayer. For forgiveness, which is almost another word for the Gospel, is a gift, a power, an answer to prayer. Ultimately (which is why we shouldn't blame Jonah for his anger), only God can forgive. We can forgive everything only by trusting in and living in God. And the Psalm for today, Psalm 86, is a beautiful prayer for this grace. |