Optional Memorial of Saint Ephrem, deacon and doctor of the Church

 Lectionary: 362

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.

Our secular culture bans certain religious words like sin, blasphemy, heresy, and anathema. The devout, we're told, should not use such words to speak of their irreligious neighbors, much less of other religious denominations. But the censors are very ready to condemn many thoughts, words, and deeds as unacceptable.

Recently, I've heard the word microaggression bandied about. Google offers a quick definition, "a statement, action, or incident regarded as an instance of indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group such as a racial or ethnic minority." 

Merriam-Webster offers some usages gleaned from the Internet: 

• A digital photo project run by a Fordham University student about "racial microaggressions" features minority students holding up signs with comments like "You're really pretty … for a dark-skin girl." — Jinnie Spiegler
• There is a real and worthy conversation taking place in this country now, particularly among young people, around the idea of microaggressions—slight, often unintended discriminatory comments or behaviors. — Charles M. Blow
• also : behavior or speech that is characterized by such comments or actions
• … the power of microaggression lies in its invisibility to the perpetrator, who typically finds it difficult to believe that he or she possesses biased attitudes. — Emily Skop

These examples are given by persons of minority groups who hear and notice casual insults but I believe Jesus was speaking of precisely the same thing in today's gospel. Whoever is angry with another, shouts Raqa at them, (meaning imbecile or blockhead), or calls them a fool will be answerable to the religious authorities.

The minority freshman students in college or university, sharing their experience with classmates, have noticed the casual insults of their new environment. Many grew up in supportive, middle class families, and attended schools which encouraged achievement. Suddenly away from home, friends, and family, they notice their discomfort in a society that only appears to be friendly. They discuss and share their feelings of hurt and discover a common pattern of small, demeaning insults -- microaggressions. 

Reflecting that experience back to the dominant culture, they realize their classmates don't get it. For the latter are mouthing remarks they have been hearing since infancy. In a different setting, jokes about black, white, Hispanic, Asian, or obese Americans were funny! Or we thought they were.  

But these microaggressions are not typical only of colleges and universities; nor is the rudeness aimed only at minority groups. They can occur in any company, be it the office, family, or church. A CEO's casual remarks may be insulting. Jokes about women, hysterically funny in the tavern, are embarrassing and politely ignored in the office. They're often dressed like witticisms but they're received as insults -- because they are. And when the insulted persons complain they're told they have no sense of humor.  

This habitual violence must lead to open, deliberate, and unavoidable conflict. We might call it civil war, which is the worst kind. 

The saints tell us that, upon coming to the Lord, they were appalled by the staggering dimensions of their guilt. They frankly doubted that they could be saved. But Augustine, Francis, Clare, and Mother Theresa never killed anyone. They stole no money; they took no bribes. They had attended Church since their childhood, and generally stayed out of trouble. In the light of grace, however, they were overwhelmed with remorse. Perhaps their microaggressions, which betrayed ungracious attitudes toward others finally caught up with them. Mercy spoke to them, revealed their sins and invited them to penance. 

The secular media may not be willing to see their own sins and biases, but they help us to see our own. Some regard abortion as a blessing and prayer as offensive. But they also smell out self-righteousness, self-serving, and blatant hypocrisy. Opening to prayer and mercy, we ask the Lord to show us what we have done, and how we have offended others. We realize how unacceptable these sins are, and we beg the Lord for time to repent, atone, and make reparation before the Wrath of God falls and the Civil War begins.