16th. November. 2021. Daily Devotion.
1 ‘You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.” 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, “Raca,” is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, “You fool!” will be in danger of the fire of hell. Matthew
It may seem like a stretch to compare angry speech with physical murder, but Jesus wants us to understand the power of our words. Angry speech is destructive against another person made in God’s image. It can push them into shame or self-loathing, rather than leading to fruitful repentance. And oftentimes our angry words create a cycle of retaliation and escalating anger.
So we must learn to control our anger and not to speak rashly. Thankfully, through Christ, we can find the grace to root anger and its hurtfulness out of our lives, and to become the peacemakers we are called to be. AJ Gretz.
Prayer
Lord, help me not to rush into judging people out of anger. Move me to greater grace and compassion for everyone, even those who might hurt me. Amen.
To Walk in God’s Sight
Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: I humbly pray you so to guide and govern me by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of my life I may not forget you but may remember that I am ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
To Help Others
Let me love you, my Lord and my God, and see myself as I really am – a pilgrim in this world, a Christian called to respect and love all whose lives I touch, those in authority over me or those under my authority, my friends and my enemies. Help me to conquer anger with gentleness, greed by generosity, apathy by fervour. Help me to forget myself and reach out towards others. Amen.
For the refugee, ‘displaced’, afraid and homeless;
for the ‘unplaced’ child in care, longing for a new foster home;
for the elderly dementia sufferer, with ‘misplaced’ words and straying thoughts;
for the ‘placeless’ young person alone on the streets, all family ties broken;
for the ‘out of place’ folks who don’t seem to fit in with society or even themselves;
and for those now ‘replaced’, no longer needed for whatever reason.
Lord, we thank you that we are all your children and that, whoever we are, and whatever our circumstances, there is a place in your kingdom of love for us all. Amen. Val Pearce.
For Faith
Most High, Glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my mind. Give me a right faith, a firm hope and a perfect charity, so that I may always and in all things act according to Your Holy Will. Amen. ~ (St.) Francis of Assisi (1214).