13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 26, 2022
Luke 9:51-62
Anger is integral part of human emotions. Since it is part of our humanity, anger as our emotion is God’s gift. Yet, just like other God’s gifts to us, anger serves both as a blessing or a curse. It goes back to our decision to how we will express it.
In today’s Gospel, James and his brother, John were infuriated that Jesus, their beloved master, was not welcome by the Samaritans. They even claimed, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them? [Luk 9:54]” We are not sure whether James and John literally had the power to send fire from heaven, or it is just an expression that they would retaliate in a violent manner. Yet, Jesus rebuked them, and worse things were averted.
Yet, who are these Samaritans and why were Jesus’ disciples so irritated with them? The Jews and the Samaritans shared a long and yet problematic history. It begins with 10 Israelite tribes that seceded from the Kingdom of David after Solomon passed away. They formed the Northern kingdom, and later, their capital was at Samaria. While two tribes who were loyal to the David’s line, called themselves the Southern kingdom. Unfortunately, in 722 BC, the Assyrian empire came and crushed Samaria. Many of them were exiled to Assyria, and the empire brought people from other nations to settle in former Northern kingdom’s land. Thus, the interactions between the foreign immigrants and the Israelite remnants were unavoidable. Israelites from the South recognized the Samaritans as foreigners, mixed breeds, or idolators, while the Samaritan continued to believe that they are the remnants of the 10 tribes of Israel. In time of Jesus, the Samaritan would harass the Jewish pilgrims going to Jerusalem, while the Jewish people refused entry to their towns for the Samaritan.
With the long enmity and sour incident, James and John had the right to get angry, but why then did Jesus rebuke them instead? It is interesting to note that in the future encounters, Samaritans would receive Jesus and believe in Him [John 4; Act 8]. Jesus knew well that Samaritan was not a hopeless case, yet more importantly, anger-turn-violence is not the solution. Jesus recognized anger is integral to our human nature, but violence brings more anger. It is vicious cycle.
Often, we only know violence as expressions of anger. Some of our parents disciplined us using harsh words, and sometimes physical violence. A husband uses his violence to dominate his control over his wife. In the schools, sometimes, we find other students who bully us. When we are online, we read all kind of cursing, body shaming, and vulgar words and pictures. In the workplaces, people with higher positions vent their wrath to those who are in the lower position. Abortion is one of the most brutal act of parents to their unborn babies.
How then do we prevent our anger turning violence? Firstly, we need to recognize and own our anger. Do not suppress it because suppression is another kind of violence towards ourselves. Secondly, we ask what the root of our anger is. Is it justifiable? Or is it coming from our pride? Thirdly, we think for the best options to express our anger. Surely, it is not easy, especially when violent ways are deeply rooted in our characters. Yet, we can always rely on God’s grace, and start with small and simple steps.
Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP
In Medio Ecclesiae 