The Sin of Anger
“But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matthew 5:22)
The Fifth Commandment forbids willful murder, abortion, suicide, fighting (outside of self-defense, of course), quarreling, scandal, bad example, anger, hatred, and revenge. As stated by Canon Francis Ripley, “Life is man’s greatest good, so God wishes to safeguard it against attack. God alone is the author of life; He alone may take life – apart from the circumstances of a just war, the execution of a criminal, and legitimate self-defense.” According to St. Thomas Aquinas, pride is the root of vanity, spiritual sloth, envy, and anger. To the Christian, these seeds of death must be mortified (cf. Romans 8:13).
But the Fifth Commandment also prohibits the root cause of them all: hatred. The Baltimore Catechism plainly states:
“Fighting, anger, hatred, and revenge are forbidden by the Fifth Commandment because they are sinful in themselves and may lead to murder. The Commandments forbid not only whatever violates them, but also whatever may lead to their violation.”
The brilliant clarity of the Catechism of the Council of Trent expounds on this crucial point:
“The Jews, with singular dullness of apprehension, thought that to abstain from taking life with their own hands was enough to satisfy the obligation imposed by this Commandment. But the Christian, instructed in the interpretation of Christ, has learned that the precept is spiritual and that it commands us not only to keep our hands unstained but our hearts pure and undefiled; hence what the Jews regarded as quite sufficient, is not sufficient at all. For the Gospel has taught that it is unlawful even to be angry with anyone: Matthew 5:22 [quoted at the beginning of the article].”
The Catechism explains the meaning of those words of Our Lord, which are taken from the Gospel of St. Matthew:
“From these words, it clearly follows that he who is angry with his brother is not free from sin, even though he conceals his resentment; that he who gives indication of his wrath sins grievously; and that he who does not hesitate to treat another with harshness, and to utter contumelious reproaches against him, sins still more grievously.”
St. Francis de Sales on Combating Anger
St. Francis de Sales offered valuable insights on combating anger in Introduction to the Devout Life, which is one of his most famous works. Originally published in 1609, it is a spiritual classic that serves as a guide for laypeople seeking to deepen their relationship with God amidst the demands of everyday life. The following tips on combating anger come from this illustrious saint:
- Practice Patience and Gentleness: St. Francis de Sales emphasized the importance of cultivating patience and gentleness in dealing with others. Instead of reacting with anger, strive to respond with kindness and understanding. Think of Our Lord and His example of meekness and calmness during His Passion when He was falsely accused, abandoned, blasphemed, insulted, and tortured.
- Self-awareness and Examination of Conscience: Regularly examine your conscience to identify the root causes of your anger. This self-awareness can help you recognize triggers and patterns, enabling you to address them more effectively. There may be people, situations, places, or habits you need to avoid immediately.
- Prayer and Surrender to God’s Will: St. Francis de Sales stressed the power of prayer in overcoming anger. By entrusting your struggles to God and seeking His guidance, you can find strength and peace amid challenging situations. We can do nothing without God’s help. If prayer is not foundational to our plans to combat anger, nothing will last. Prayer is indispensable.
- Humility and Forgiveness: Cultivate humility and a willingness to forgive others. Recognize that everyone is imperfect and prone to mistakes. You are too. By letting go of grudges and extending forgiveness, you can release the hold that anger has on your heart. Our Lord requires us to extend forgiveness to others. They are free to accept or not. But we must extend it. We must always forgive. And if Christ could forgive His cruel executioners while on the Cross, we can forgive anyone.
- Practice Virtues: Focus on cultivating virtues such as charity, kindness, and compassion. By nurturing these positive qualities, you can counteract the negative effects of anger and foster a spirit of peace and harmony in your relationships. To this end, daily Mass, the daily Rosary, praying slowly the Litany of Humility each day, and other pious acts can help.
For similar reflections on how to grow in sanctity, Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales is without parallel. May St. Francis de Sales pray for us to grow in virtue and avoid all sins of anger.
Conclusion
Concerning anger, we see the example of the Lord, Who taught us, as part of His perennial teaching, to give our other cheek to those who strike us: Love your enemies. The mortification of the irascible appetite makes us acquire the virtue of meekness. And through meekness, we can conquer ourselves.
For more information, read “How to Regulate the Concupiscible vs. Irascible Appetites.”