When Anger Sits Too Long

June 12, 2025 - Thursday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time

Matthew 5:20-26

Maybe right here—

You’re angry.

But no one sees it.

You’ve smiled through it. Laughed over it. Posted happy.

But underneath… it burns.

Anger you swallowed

when they said that thing.

When they left you out.

When they didn’t say sorry.

When they broke trust.

When they didn’t even notice.

And you tell yourself:

“It’s fine. I’m fine.”

But you’re not.

Jesus doesn’t say:

“Just don’t kill anyone.”

He goes deeper:

“Don’t let anger live in you. Don’t let it rot your heart.”

Because He knows—

anger doesn’t always explode.

Sometimes it just stays…

silent, cold, sharp.

And from there—

We gossip.

We cancel.

We post to shame.

We label:

“Empty.” “Stupid.” “Fake.” “Raca.”

Jesus knows that words can burn.

He saw it in Cain.

He sees it in us.

And He says: This matters.

Where does it ache?

Maybe it’s that one friend

you used to trust.

The sibling you don’t talk to.

The parent who doesn’t understand.

The bitterness you thought you buried.

Jesus says:

Before you come to worship.

Before you raise your hands.

Before you sing the songs.

Go.

Find that person.

Have the hard conversation.

Say what needs to be said.

Not to win—

but to heal.

It aches because you care.

It aches because love once lived there.

So go.

Say it.

Mean it.

Not: “I was right.”

But maybe:

“I’m sorry.”

“Let’s talk.”

“I miss you.”

Where does it ache?

That’s where He wants to begin.

Not with perfect prayers.

Not with loud praise.

But with a soft heart that dares to forgive.

Because the God who reconciled the world to Himself

is now waiting for you—

to do the same.