Read the Catechism in a Year
Day 276 - Peace & Anger
The Fifth Commandment: You shall not kill.
What is peace?
Peace is the consequence of justice and the sign of love put into action. Where there is peace, “every creature can come to rest in good order” (Thomas Aquinas). Earthly peace is the image of the peace of Christ, who reconciled heaven and earth.
Peace is more than the absence of war, more than a carefully maintained balance of powers (“balance of terror”). In a state of peace, people can live securely with their legitimately earned property and freely exchange goods with one another. In peace the dignity and the right of self-determination of individuals and of peoples are respected. In peace human coexistence is characterized by brotherly solidarity. How does a Christian deal with anger?
Paul says, “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Eph 4:26).
Anger is initially a natural emotion, a reaction to perceived injustice. If anger becomes hatred, however, and someone has ill-will toward his neighbor, this normal feeling becomes a serious offense against charity. All uncontrolled anger, especially thoughts of revenge, are detrimental to peace and destroy “the tranquility of order”. (YOUCAT questions 395-396)
Dig Deeper: Corresponding CCC section (2302-2305) and other references here.
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