In the temple [Jesus] found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, "Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!"
-John 2:14-16

The gospels are full of stories about a Jesus who heals, who tells good stories, who seeks out those who need some kindness, or forgiveness, or hope. It's easy to get the idea that Jesus is always nice to everyone, always patient, always easy to be with. But tucked into each of the gospels are those moments when Jesus surprises us. Suddenly, Jesus is angry, frustrated, and more than willing to make a scene. Imagining Jesus driving animals out of the temple with a whip, and emptying the coin jars requires us to see a side of him that we don't often talk about in church.

But then, that's what often happens during Lent: we're challenged to wrestle with the hard stuff. Lent is a time to confront everything that keeps us away from God, and that's not always easy.

Here's the thing: sometimes, it's the obvious stuff that keeps us away from God: our pride, our greed, our indifference, our impatience. But sometimes we can be surprised by the things that pull us away from who God intends us to be. Sometimes, we just want things to be easy -- and it's often easier to be nice, to keep the peace, to be agreeable and understanding and patient. But sometimes, Jesus reminds us, that's not the faithful thing to do.

It's true that there are times when anger can pull us away from God. When we get so wrapped up in our anger that we can't think about anyone but ourselves, then our anger can become destructive. But anger can bring us closer to God, too.

When Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem, he saw people taking advantage of others. He saw people cheapening a sacred place by thinking more about how much money they could make than how they ought to worship. Jesus was angry about that, and rightfully so. He didn't add to the sinfulness of the situation by pretending that everything was okay, and avoiding any conflict. He faced up to it. He got mad. And he reminded all of us that we our worship ought to be about God, and that trying to sell stuff -- even religious stuff -- can get in the way of our worship.

It can be hard to know when God calls us to be angry. But sometimes, in the face of oppression, or unkindness, or violence, or abuse, anger is the faithful response. Anger can motivate us to seek God's will in a rough situation, and anger can give us the daring to work for the changes we believe God is hoping for.

Where does anger fit in to your spiritual life? Is anger something you have too much of in your life, or not enough? Does your anger lead you away from God? Or are there times when you need to allow your anger to witness to God's love for the world? When should you put your anger aside? What should make you more angry, but is easier to ignore?

These aren't easy questions... but, as I said, Lent is a good time to think about the hard stuff. May God's peace be with you, quieting the anger that separates you from God, and stirring the anger that will help you to be faithful.