Anger: Brief Madness or Healing Energy
Rev. Jimmy Moore, preaching
Matthew 5:21-26
It’s hard to know what to do with anger, isn’t it? The poet David Whyte writes that anger is “the deepest form of compassion…” But he also says, “What we call anger is often simply the unwillingness to live the full measure of our fears or of our not knowing…” Dealing with anger, our own or another’s, is one of the most impactful spiritual and relational decisions we make. Anger can fuel our need for personal change or change within the community. Left unattended, anger (or what we call anger) can also sever our relationship with ourselves and with others.
Fred Rogers, aka Mr. Rogers, once told a story about a time that he left work after a bad day, and he was in a bad mood. He stopped by to see his grandsons who were playing with a hose in the back yard, supervised by a baby sitter. Fred told the boys that he did not want to be sprayed, but as the play went on, one of the boys, Alex, began to spray closer and closer to him. Fred said in a stern voice, “Alex, that’s it. Turn off the water.” Alex did so, but was very sad. Fred said he became more sad as well. Later that night, he called Alex, and apologized, telling him that he had carried his bed feelings from work into that back yard. Alex said, “Oh, Bubba, everybody makes mistakes sometimes.” (You can watch the video by clicking on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33AFCyblVzk)
We’ll explore this powerful theme of anger and restoration in worship on Sunday, as the sermon is titled, “Anger: Brief Madness or Healing Energy” arising from Matthew 5: 21-26. The Chancel Choir, led by Gerry Sousa, will lead us in worship. We hope to see you this Sunday.