One of the most common things priests hear during confession is the sin of anger. People have been reminded that anger is not necessarily a sin. After all, many times Jesus got angry with the Pharisees and scribes. Anger that is born out of resentment, envy or greed is the one that is sinful, and especially when burst-out anger hurts those around us. In the first reading, the book of Ecclesiasticus tells us that resentment and anger are foul things and both are found with the sinner. This is the kind of sin that is born out of selfishness and pride.

We become resentful when we cannot get what we want or get our way. The moment we realise that we have fallen into this trap, anger takes over because we feel that what is due to us is not given to us. This kind of anger is very dangerous, because it will cloud our minds and short-circuit our reasoning. The worst thing is when we expect to receive what we are not prepared to give. If we are not willing to forgive and be compassionate, we should not expect forgiveness and compassion as well. When Peter asks Jesus how many times he must forgive his brother, he, and we, are told to forgive as many times as he wrongs us, and to forgive each of our brethren from the deepest part of our hearts.