Have you Reason to be angry?

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 27th Week - Wednesday*

*GOSPEL - Lk 11:1-4*

*First Reading - Jon 4:1-11*

*Have you Reason to be angry?*

*1) Have you reason to be angry?*

This is the question, which was asked by God, to prophet Jonah. 

First of all Jonah was angry with God. This is something very strange. After God saved Jonah from the danger, still he has reason to get angary and not to thank the Lord

God asks this question twice to Jonah. Jonah had his own reasons to get angry. 

*2) Reasons For Jonah's anger*

First of all we see that Jonah got angry, because God didn't punish the people of Nineveh. This is also something strange, getting angry for not punishing 

Secondly Jonah saw a plant which was giving him shade,  suddenly dried up due to worm attack. As a result he had to face the heat of the burning Sun, which made him to get angry 

*3) The Out come of the Anger?*

He had revengeful attitude, that God should punish the people of Nineveh

Secondly, He was asking for death, rather than life. Protecting life is more important than death 

Thirdly, due to his anger, he suffered more than the usual

Finally, he could gain nothing, on the contrary he lost good name, and good reputation

*4) Jonah gained nothing by getting angry*

The whole episode of Jonah gives us a correct message that, Jonah gained nothing by getting angry 

Jonah rather lost many things by getting angry with God 

First of all, it showed his displeasure with the mission, which was given to by God. 

Secondly, it showed that His logic on punishment was wrong. Accordingly, God should punish the people of Nineveh

Thirdly it showed the negative side of Jonah's life 

Anger made to go away from God and grumble at God 

Anger made him to think that He is right in getting angry and he has the right for doing so 

Due to anger he lost his popularity, image, reputation, and determination to work 

*5) No reasons to get angry, but many reasons to be Happy*

In fact no human being has a reason to get angry, with God 

But we have many reasons to become happy and to create happiness in life

By getting angry we gain nothing. By happiness we gain everything. 

Getting angry destroys everything, but creating happiness, chsnges our life for better 

So the question still is *Have you reasons  to be angry??*

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*