Scripture:
Reflection:
Lent 2024: Fasting from Anger, Feasting on Patience
In today’s Gospel selection, Jesus is speaking in the synagogue and was rejected by the people of his hometown of Nazareth because he was too familiar to them, his words too challenging, and even his family background too simple. He was “taken for granted”. The people revolted against him in anger and wanted to throw him over the hill of the town. Jesus patiently moved through their midst and went away.
The reading from 2nd Kings shares Elisha’s directions to the Syrian army commander Naaman for the cure of his leprosy. Naaman at first shrugged off these directions because they seemed too simple, too commonplace. “Go and wash seven times in the Jordan…” Naaman stormed away angry – until others patiently reasoned with him…he did as he was told — and he was cured!
The word “anger” has linguistic roots which connote choking and strangulation. No doubt, anger “chokes” our personal growth, our relationships; it is destructive on many levels! In our anger, we lose perspective on life and close ourselves inward. Grace is needed for life beyond anger — to really change and grow and live.
This Lent, we’re encouraged to have a change of heart, a “metanoia” in the ancient Greek. By our prayer, penance, and almsgiving we become more aware of our blessings as members of God’s family, and God offers us the grace to change and really live: to move beyond the anger that may “strangle” us, to move towards a renewed patience that helps us see every person, every event in life as part of God’s Plan for us and our world. To move from anger to patience is a true challenge for contemporary women and men! And yet that “change” is so needed in our world today!
The statement holds true: With God all things are possible! Let’s be open to the graces of this Lent 2024 and be renewed on every level of life. May we “fast” from anger, and “feast” on patience and growth!
Fr. John Schork, C.P. serves as the Province Vocation Director and also as Local Superior of the Passionist Community of Holy Name in Houston, Texas.