RIGHTEOUS ANGER:
12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” Matthew 21:12-13
REFLECTION:
It’s about time.
I never thought I’d see the day
when a way was made.
I’d heard about this day.
My father, his father before him.
They all talked.
Dreamed.
Even prayed,
Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;
Lord, tear out the fangs of those lions! (Psalm 58:6)
I saw it today.
It was about time.
What was prayed, I witnessed.
All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and
suddenly be put to shame. (Psalm 6:10)
Furious moments of righteous indignation.
Shock and shame. And relief.
A table flipped, then another;
the crack of a whip;
shrieks of a woman.
Clanging metal as soldiers move to restore a peace that never was,
but now will forever be.
RESPOND:
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- Where do you find yourself experiencing righteous anger?
- How might you partner with Jesus in advocating for the marginalized?
PRAYER:
God, release the constraints of my anger. What has happened to me was wrong, is wrong. I know you know that, God. I know you know this.
There is no relief. I have carried this for so long.
I don’t have the voice to articulate this pain.
My only comfort comes from the Laments, my constant companion.
19 I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
20 I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
21Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.” (Lamentations 3:19-24)I’m waiting. Be faithful.
