Lectio Divina

 Still our unforgiving thoughts,

the grudges we nurse from our past,

our disordered anger and negativity and abuses we have been subject to.

Quiet in us the guilt we carry from our anger.

Still in us all that’s wounded, unresolved, bitter, and unforgiving.  Give the quiet that comes from forgiveness.

(Ron Rolheiser)

 

 

1. Lectio (Read)

 

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgement.’  But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgement; whoever insults[c] his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

St Matthew 5:21-24, ESVUK

 

Silence

 

The sacred phrase that helps quiet my mind and allows me to fully engage my five senses, enabling me to pay attention to God's message for me today, is: “Calm my confused anger, Lord.”

 

 

2. Meditatio (Rejoice and Reflect)

 

I note the urgent tone in Jesus’ teaching today.  He wants to cleanse my soul of anything that could destroy the divine life within me and rob me of joy and peace, tarnishing the image of God in us. Calm my confused anger, Lord.

 

Pause

 

I contemplate the divine therapy for my mind offered in today’s passage.  The text speaks to me personally and highlights the church as a divine channel through which, aided by God's grace, I can achieve righteousness and fellowship.

 

Pause

 

I reflect on my experiences with disordered anger, lack of control, and chaotic outbursts.  I meditate on the anger, disappointment, and bitterness I have felt in the past.  I want to revisit those events and consider whether those feelings were stirred by pride and vanity.  Calm my confused anger, Lord.

 

 

3. Oratorio (Ask and Pray)

 

I want to answer the fundamental question: Do I somehow struggle with anger in my life?

 

Pause

 

God desires to remove the obstacles that hinder the flow of His grace within our souls. This may explain why Jesus invites us to share in His Father’s heart so that we can be cleansed.

 

What stirs up disorder and passion in my soul?

 

I pray to God to help me avoid striving for things and ideals that I cannot achieve, and not to envy what I cannot obtain.  I ask for strength to resist the temptation to envy my neighbours’ gifts and material possessions, and to refrain from fighting and quarrelling over family inheritance, etc.

I pray for healing from the wounds of pride that remain within me.  Calm my confused anger, Lord.

 

Pause

 

I also pray that God seals the work I have done and continue to do during this time of Trinity, this period of purification.

As I revisit my emotional wounds, I seek wholesome healing so that my desires may align with Yours, please calm my confused anger, Lord.

 

Pause

 

I have made a few resolutions during this time of Trinity:

 

When I feel angry:

• Let me express it briefly by reciting the Lord's Prayer.
• Let me remember our baptism and reflect on Romans 6:7: “For one who has died has been set free from sin.” - Let me "be quick to listen and slow to speak." (James 1:19).
• Let me heed Proverbs 29:11: “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps control of himself.”
• Let me calm my anger by singing Psalms and practicing almsgiving (Evagrius, Praktikos, 11).  Calm my confused anger, Lord.

 

 

4. Contemplatio (Yield)

 

Lord, guide my prayer inwardly, helping me reflect on how I handle anger.

 

Silence

 

I seek the Trinity's grace today.

Lord, teach me about the destructive nature of anger. Calm my confused anger, Lord.

 

Silence

 

Jesus Christ, help me understand how uncontrolled passions disrupt my relationships. Calm my confused anger, Lord.

 

Silence

 

Holy Spirit, assist me in aligning my words and actions this week.  Calm my confused anger, Lord.

 

Exit meditation in silence.