The Gospel reading in church today was the one about Jesus at the temple getting angry at the moneychangers. So the priest asked us all, “What makes you angry?” Luckily in the bulletin, the secretary had left an empty page for “Sermon Notes,” so I started scribbling…
Pet peeves: people who interrupt, grammatical errors such as alot as one word or confusing there, their, and they’re.
In Jesus’ day, he got angry at the Pharisees, the moneychangers, and even Peter. (“Get behind me, Satan.”) Should this be a comfort to us? That even Jesus got angry. What would Jesus say to all the politicians today spouting off about this or that in His name?
I try not to listen or read things that will make me angry, but today I made the mistake of reading a letter to the editor in our local paper. This letter was written by a man about women’s health issues. He said that contraception and pregnancy are not health issues. I don’t get it. If they are not health issues, then why does a woman go to a doctor when she is pregnant? Why does she go to a hospital to have the child? And why does anyone think that he should be given the right to make any decision for a woman about her health and well being. And we call this religious freedom?
In my eyes, freedom is when you are given choices to make. In the beginning, God granted us this freedom. He never said, “You can choose, but you must choose what I say you must choose.” My favorite bishop, Bishop Henton often quoted St. Augustine, “Love God, and do as you please.” So why do we follow the commandments? Because we want to. Because it is our choice. Not because we should, or have to. But just because.
What makes you angry? What can you do to make a difference?
Reflections on the Teche 
Wow, very thought provoking. I think what makes me most angry is that so many decide for children what their “reality” will be when it does not match what is real for them. Many feel that helping less fortunate is a way of enabling, I see this argument, but disagree. I feel that it is the responsibility of those of us who know the difference to assist those who are truly in need and educate those who can do for themselves.
Right on! Thanks for reading. It was a risky post for me.
It takes a lot to make me angry. I can’t remember the last time I was angry. I get frustrated, put out, and aggravated, but true burning anger doesn’t happen. It is just not worth the energy. I choose to focus on what I can accomplish and think about what I can do to make a difference. You’ve put out some thought provoking ideas.
At the student of the year interview, we were all sitting in a large room. Kaylie and the other fifth grade students’ portfolios were sitting on a table in front of the room. A senior in high school asked if she could look at the portfolios, and a woman told her she could. Immediately, I thought about my daughter’s portfolio, and how much personal information was in it (social security number, phone number, iLEAP and Leap scores, etc.) As angry as this made me, I didn’t say a word, (other than to ask the lady if the portfolios had already been scored.) When I explained this to Kaylie, I said, “Don’t be like me. Always speak up.” The next day, Kaylie was going to be screened for the art program and she told me that she was sitting on the bus along with another student about her age. Typically, she would have kept to herself and rode silently to the Ed center, but she said, “Mom, I remembered what you said about speaking up, so I went right up to him and introduced myself!” 🙂 My hope is that my children always speak up for themselves.
I am so proud of Kaylie in so many ways. I am also shy about speaking up. In fact, this post itself was a huge risk for me. Thanks for sharing.
If I read that letter to the editor, then my blood sure would’ve been boiling too! Contraception and pregnancy certainly are women’s health issues. I just don’t understand why this is even a conversation in our political discourse right now. (Clearly I don’t have up an opinion about this. Ha ha ha.)
Thanks for the thought-provoking post! My childhood pastor posted this question, “What makes you angry?” last Monday and collected responses all week for her sermon this morning. Now I wish I would have been back home to hear it! I try not to hold on to anger, as it is such an energy-suck, but blatant disrespect really burns my buns! 🙂
Margaret,
Love the spirit of your riskiness. I love how you go from grammatical errors to contraception. Writing is all about taking risks; is it not?
http://meanderingmaya.blogspot.com
Thanks for the advice. Yesterday I wrote two posts so that today I could get it on early. In fact, it is written after you. A “Why I Write” list poem.
I am glad you wrote a risky post.
I noticed that you asked Stacey about how to increase your readership and she had a good suggestion about commenting on the same blogs for a while. The other thing to do – and I know it is hard – but try to post at the top of this list every so often. I don’t know if you’ve noticed but those who post in the top 20 usually get the most readers/commenters. Sad but true. However, I have also noticed that people tend to post at the same time so something I do is comment on the blogs that are posted close to mine because we’re all in the same slot!
Circled back here after reading your comment on my post today(Mad). I agree with Elsie getting that angry just isn’t worth it but sometimes it slips up on me (us). It helped me calm down when I was thinking what words I could use to write it out. The writing challenge saves the day! Ta-da!
I don’t think anger is the bad thing it’s been made out to be. Really, it’s what you do with it that matters. If your anger leads to change that makes a difference, then it is well directed. Road rage, however, is not safe and way scary. I think your poem and my words here are fairly harmless in the whole wide scheme of things, if you ask me.