Hell is All the Rage--When Community Anger is Confused for Love

Why is our modern society celebrating rage?  And when did vicious, destructive outbursts become the conveyance of justice; passive aggressive sermonizing become love; the brandishing of hateful signage the armor of courage; and the steady stream of vulgar language and reactivity the hallmark of “disciplined” engagement?  

 
The constant loop of Alex Pretti spewing venomous words and kicking out the tail light of an ICE (taxpayer owned) vehicle evoked mainstream media and Main Street celebration rather than rightful disappointment and rejection of eruptive emotion.  However, that the very wearied ICE agents seemed to have lost control did not tamp down the rioter spirit. (More on that facet further along, but we must put the face of the person on those who defend our country.)

 
We used to condemn such ill behavior as temper tantrums more befitting grossly immature toddlers than reasoned supposedly educated adults.  The United States of America once condemned foreign politicians who sided with murderous revolutionists, but our home grown mayors and governors are exalted for their derision and stoking widespread destruction in violation of the Constitution and other individuals’ rights.  Good is branded evil, and evil is touted as good.  

 
A brief read of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the primary tenets of Faith, Hope, and Charity, even as we meditated on the Beatitudes this past Sunday, illuminate the falsehood of misnomered “sanctuary” cities and states that breed parasitical hatred.  There evil finds refuge as the Holy Spirit departs from this contagion devouring rejecting souls.   

Certainly, there is no anger in the City of God—no entrance to the enraged, perpetually vengeful, petulantly unforgiving soul.  At best, upon death and by Divine Mercy, such persons may be illuminated by Truth and be truly repentant, embracing Perfect Love while accepting the purge of hatred, even by purgative fire.

 
Still, no one can or should rely on such pardons, so it remains our duty to forewarn, pray and sacrifice for the ignorant and ill disciplined.   

 
God Himself and all the saints cautioned against misplaced—hellish—passion.  Indeed it was Cain’s unbridled wrath that led to the first murder. As reflected in dozens of Scriptural references, in the Old and New Testament, such as Psalm 37:8, Give up your anger, abandon your wrath; Do not be provoked; it brings only harm, we are continuously forewarned against allowing this snare to lead us into deadly temptation.

St. Paul, who had at one time arrogantly acted in self righteousness rage against the followers of Jesus Christ, giving full license to persecute and stone Christians, later forewarned that anger must be without sin and not to let the “sun go down on your wrath” or give the devil a chance to work on you.

 
Among multitudes of holy ones over the centuries who extorted against anger were St. Augustine, Thomas Kempis (Imitation of Christ), St. Francis de Sales (Introduction to the Devout Life). Many, including St. Jerome, arrived at their quelling of this vice because they, themselves were afflicted with choleric temperaments.  

 
St. Augustine acknowledged that anger could arise from just causes, but it was better to avoid it as it could lead to hatred and spiritual harm.  Kempis is quoted as asserting:  When anger enters the mind, wisdom departs.  St. Francis de Sales, also admitted to his proneness towards anger which he successfully tamed.  In his instructions on the practice of virtues, specifically “Meekness toward Our Neighbor and Remedies for Anger,” he advised against presumption of humility or meekness, as in the absence of a thorough examination of interior affections, such self assurance can lead to displays of arrogance. (And, yes, this goes equally for those in authority like law enforcement.*) The fact is that the saints knew that anger was a wild, untamable beast that could devour its master.  

 
Moreover, simply working on our tempers and building spiritual strength to combat anger, is not enough.  We must strive for an even higher demeanor. Casey Chalk expands on the ideal response when we have been even unjustly treated or attacked:  “A Reflection from “Wisdom from the Cross:  Following the Great Forgiver.”  (spiritualdirection.com)  No ONE in all history has been more viciously hated though perfectly innocent and perfectly loving than Jesus Christ.  How revealing that the crowd chose Barabbas, the insurrectionist, over the Meek Miracle Worker.  Consider that his disciples had fallen asleep in the Garden; they deserted him after his arrest, except St. John. The crowd demanded the release of Barabbas, the classical insurrectionist  while shouting “Crucify him,” about Jesus their Savior and Redeemer.  Then, as though the message needed to be repeated, Jesus permitted himself to be hung between two thieves.  The one to his left would reject Him with a blast of obscenities in the last breath of rage. Still, Jesus Christ’s first words from the Cross were “Forgive them for they know not what they do” without exception. 

 
Some have suggested that when Pretti unleashed his temper in unbridled anger words federal agents,  it would have been not only just but charitable to have arrested him, giving him an opportunity to calm down and consider his actions. That he was simply rustled by obviously triggered agents seemed to only fuel the mob.  Imagine if law enforcement had only videoed him and the damage and calmly pursued this later.  

 
Here, I must interject that ICE agents have been treated cruelly by the very citizens they swore to protect.  Shame on government elected who foster secret violent instigator rebels while disingenuously libeling federal law agents, driving their flight into anonymity to protect themselves and loved ones.  Yet, for the sake of the spiritual health of such agents, regardless of any legal protections to respond to agitators with force, St. Francis de Sales (and others) would advise them, too, that the Dominion of Anger is under Satan, who could care less abut “sides” or who is more right than the other.  The devil and his minions’ main goal is snatching souls from eternal happiness with God. 

 
Let us pray forward the conversion of ignorant rebels and exhausted federal law agents who should take a breath of the Holy Spirit and return to God.  Ponder the words in The Introduction to the Devout Life on hell. For hell is “all the rage” forever.