YOUCAT Lesson 396
YOUCAT the catechism
for Catholic youth
396 How do Christians deal
with anger?
St. Paul says, “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun
go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26). [2302-2304]
Anger is initially a natural emotion, a reaction to
perceived injustice. If anger becomes
hatred, however and someone has ill-will toward his neighbor, this normal
feeling becomes a serious offense against charity. All uncontrolled anger, especially thoughts
of revenge, are detrimental to peace and destroy “the tranquility of
order”. 294
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your
neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say
to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:43-44
III. SAFEGUARDING PEACE
Peace
2302 By recalling the
commandment, "You shall not kill," (Matthew 5:21.)94 our
Lord asked for peace of heart and denounced murderous anger and hatred as
immoral. --Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition
Anger is a desire
for revenge. "To desire vengeance in order to do evil to someone who
should be punished is illicit," but it is praiseworthy to impose
restitution "to correct vices and maintain justice." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae II-II,158,1 ad 3.)95 If
anger reaches the point of a deliberate desire to kill or seriously wound a
neighbor, it is gravely against charity; it is a mortal sin. The Lord says,
"Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment."
(Matthew 5:22.)96 --CCC
2303 Deliberate hatred is contrary to charity. Hatred
of the neighbor is a sin when one deliberately wishes him evil. Hatred of the
neighbor is a grave sin when one deliberately desires him grave harm. "But
I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that
you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:44-45.)97 --CCC
2304 Respect for and development of human life require peace. Peace
is not merely the absence of war, and it is not limited to maintaining a
balance of powers between adversaries. Peace cannot be attained on earth
without safeguarding the goods of persons, free communication among men,
respect for the dignity of persons and peoples, and the assiduous practice of
fraternity. Peace is "the tranquillity of order." (St. Augustine, De civ. Dei,
19,13,1:PL 41,640.)98 Peace is the work of justice and the
effect of charity. (Compare Isaiah 32:17; compare Gaudium et Spes 78 §§ 1-2.)99 --CCC
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