Often people confess Anger as a sin. It is explained that Anger, per se, is an emotion. When parents get angry at their children because they are not studying, it is not a sin; When a boss gets angry at an employee because she has not performed well, that is not a sin. When citizens get angry at their government for policies that are not fair, that is not a sin. Even Jesus got angry with the money changers for taking advantage of people with limitations, that is not a sin. Anger becomes a sin when it destroys relationships.

Three relationships that can be destroyed when we do not manage anger:

1. Anger destroys one’s self. When anger is not managed, it can destroy one’s self. How many times have we uttered words that we regret afterward? Once uttered, words cannot be taken back.
2. Anger with the people around us. Who wants to deal with an angry person? Who wants to build a relationship with a person that you have to be cautious with words and actions because you might trigger the person’s anger? Hence, angry people become angrier because of isolation and loneliness.
3. Anger blinds us with our relationship with God. If God is good why this and why that? When a person is angry, he blames God for everything. Hence, he disconnects himself from God. When the vine detaches from the branch, what becomes of that person?

That is why in every Mass, we remember the words of Christ on the cross: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.”

Hence, the challenge to forgive because we are the very first beneficiary: physically, spiritually and emotionally.