There much going on around us that causes many to respond with angry words and actions. A well know late night TV host voiced his frustration at how other hosts were reacting to people and situations that angered them. His concern was their use of the same anger, vile, and four letter words they were so critical of. In doing so he said his fellow comedians had surrendered their most important gift (humor) and were stooping too low rather than employing their talent in creative and clever ways. When mean and hurtful actions intentionally hurt and inflame, anger is a natural response born out of frustration and helplessness, and difficult to control. He felt that there are more creative ways to get attention and voice frustration than utilizing tactics we condemn in others.
Beyond practical advice, his words sounded vaguely familiar to what people of faith so often bump into as we seek a proper way to live in an imperfect world. Aren’t we all called to use our best gifts, such as faith, hope, and love? Turning the other cheek and loving people who aren’t deserving of love isn’t easy, but isn’t that the greatest gift that has been given to each of us? Not that it is easy, but my memory is that Jesus called his followers not to stoop to the level of a selfish, angry, world that uses power and intimidation to control. Instead, by his example of washing feet, welcoming sinners to a meal, and forgiving rather than lashing out, his actions put flesh on his loving words of sacrificial love. Those are gifts that are lacking in a sinful world and cause much of the pain that makes us angry in our hearts.
Why escalate what we condemn by using the same tactics? Jesus calls for a different response which begins by letting light rather than darkness, and love rather than hatred color our living. This is what turning the other cheek and putting our best foot forward means, as we use gifts of faith to temper emotions and reactions. Faith means we trust God’s way rather than the world’s way. In the first chapter of his New Testament letter, James suggested our faith should reveal itself to the world by how we live. In his age of persecution, prejudice, and sinful attacks, he was inspired to write that Christians should be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” Such a response to a broken world isn’t easy but it is who we are. Rather than stooping to the level of the world, we are called to stoop to wash feet, allowing God’s love shine in word and action. This is who we are called to be. In other words, bury the anger and lift high the cross! If we don’t, who will?