Whoever says he is in the light,
yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light,
and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.
Whoever hates his brother is in darkness;
he walks in darkness
and does not know where he is going
because the darkness has blinded his eyes (1 Jn 2:9-11)
Hate blinds. In hatred horrible acts are done to fellow humans, animals and Creation. I would like to round off this year by proclaiming Light and Love, yet i am often angry. Sometimes it surprises me, catches me off-guard. For instance, i see in the news that people (young men) attack ambulance, police and fire department personnel when they are busy trying to save lives. Attack these dedicated professionals? I just don't get it. The police carry arms so i'm surprised that a bullet in the leg wont solve the problem: it never does, only stoking the fires. Nurses under attack? There is enough insanity in the world not to have this behaviour dumped on top, me thinks in anger.
There it is. Anger. And i catch myself considering capital punishment, or at least a very good thrashing, publicly, teaching a lesson to his friends that encouraged him, his family that failed to teach him right and wrong, to a society that stands idle as its members behave like animals. And in my rage, i am no better. The only lesson taught by violence is violence and fear. Jesus instructed to forgive, understand and use peaceful means, regardless of the cost. It cost him his life, but even then we are taught not to fear or abandon the hope that we too, can live just as he lived. As John says in this very same letter: Whoever says, "I know him," but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 Jn 2:4). I recognise my anger and am shamed. I know better. Yet, from where does this anger come?
Fear, self-doubt, self-loathing and disappointment ... these are all fertile emotional sewers for anger and loss of control. Awareness of anger is the first and most important step. Only when anger is recognised is there a chance that it can be nipped at the bud, named, its true face seen, greeted and dismissed. John tells us that we must love our brother to remain in the light and avoid darkness. As this year ends, i still have a lot to learn and practise, if God will be my guide.
Oremus:
I pray for less anger and more compassion, less violence and more caring. I pray that those who are caught up in anger can be gently and firmly re-minded, for they are not themselves. I pray that those who notice their anger rising can be aware of the fiery passion that does such great harm to all including the owner and in awareness can release it like a great exhalation into the ether. I pray that those who have offered themselves to helping their brothers and sisters can do so safely and appreciatively. Amen.
Deo gratias.
yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light,
and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.
Whoever hates his brother is in darkness;
he walks in darkness
and does not know where he is going
because the darkness has blinded his eyes (1 Jn 2:9-11)
Hate blinds. In hatred horrible acts are done to fellow humans, animals and Creation. I would like to round off this year by proclaiming Light and Love, yet i am often angry. Sometimes it surprises me, catches me off-guard. For instance, i see in the news that people (young men) attack ambulance, police and fire department personnel when they are busy trying to save lives. Attack these dedicated professionals? I just don't get it. The police carry arms so i'm surprised that a bullet in the leg wont solve the problem: it never does, only stoking the fires. Nurses under attack? There is enough insanity in the world not to have this behaviour dumped on top, me thinks in anger.
There it is. Anger. And i catch myself considering capital punishment, or at least a very good thrashing, publicly, teaching a lesson to his friends that encouraged him, his family that failed to teach him right and wrong, to a society that stands idle as its members behave like animals. And in my rage, i am no better. The only lesson taught by violence is violence and fear. Jesus instructed to forgive, understand and use peaceful means, regardless of the cost. It cost him his life, but even then we are taught not to fear or abandon the hope that we too, can live just as he lived. As John says in this very same letter: Whoever says, "I know him," but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 Jn 2:4). I recognise my anger and am shamed. I know better. Yet, from where does this anger come?
Fear, self-doubt, self-loathing and disappointment ... these are all fertile emotional sewers for anger and loss of control. Awareness of anger is the first and most important step. Only when anger is recognised is there a chance that it can be nipped at the bud, named, its true face seen, greeted and dismissed. John tells us that we must love our brother to remain in the light and avoid darkness. As this year ends, i still have a lot to learn and practise, if God will be my guide.
Oremus:
I pray for less anger and more compassion, less violence and more caring. I pray that those who are caught up in anger can be gently and firmly re-minded, for they are not themselves. I pray that those who notice their anger rising can be aware of the fiery passion that does such great harm to all including the owner and in awareness can release it like a great exhalation into the ether. I pray that those who have offered themselves to helping their brothers and sisters can do so safely and appreciatively. Amen.
Deo gratias.
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