This week (and for several weeks actually) I have been becoming increasingly frustrated…. no…. ANGRY about the way in which both the major parties are conducting their election campaigns here in Qld. I have been angry because these campaigns have been based on character assassination rather than policy. I have been angry because there are sectors of our society in great need, but the candidates have seemed more concerned with pointing out the faults of their opponents than doing any real good!

The old Greek, Aristotle, once said, “Anyone can become angry that is easy, but to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way this is difficult.” It is difficult. But anger can be a great motivating force in our lives. Sometimes that anger can be constructive. God has used angry people to cure some of the worst injustices and to solve some of the most perplexing problems this world has known. In today’s gospel reading we see an angry Jesus, and it is rather refreshing, since we are so used to thinking of Jesus as gentle, meek and mild as the old hymn describes him. Jesus saw wrong and injustice and he sort to put things to rights.

It seems anger is not the problem, so much as what we do with our anger!

Let us pray that God might give us wisdom, courage and clarity of thought that we might act according to His will, in regards to the election, and all matters that incite us to anger. Amen.

Blessings

Reverend Shan