Breaking the Cycle of Bitterness
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time – September 13, 2026
How should we protect ourselves from anger and bitterness in times of economic “stress”, political uncertainty and, truth to be told, a time when people are losing hope of better times?
In simple terms, the emotion of anger is a natural, temporary emotional reaction. If you see someone being mistreated, or the economic system is unjust, we naturally feel anger. It’s a signal that something is wrong. However, wrath, is what happens when we refuse to deal with anger, and let it rot in your heart. It changes from a temporary feeling into a permanent rock in the heart. Is this why Sirach says the sinner “hugs it tight”.
Sirach warns us against anger because it too easily becomes wrath which seeks destruction, rather than justice. Whereas the goal of a healthy anger is restoration: fixing what is wrong.
Young people are hurting and there is justifiable anger regarding the state of our nation: high taxes, unemployment, policy injustice, and political bribery. Anger is not a sin, per se. What we do with our anger determines whether it is noble or sinful.
For example, there was a young activist who was furious about corruption. His anger drove him to organize peaceful community clean-ups and demand accountability. But over time, he let that anger turn into hatred. He started insulting many people, refused to collaborate with others, and broke up with his family because of his constant rage. The anger meant to cure the community ended up destroying his own life, from the inside out.
This is why it is helpful to be part of a youth group where we can work together to protect, guide and restrain each other to achieve a good end.
The second reading from St Paul is also helpful as we prepare for elections: “None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord…” Because the reality in Kenya, during times of political chaos, is that young people are pressured to join a faction, where they’re often used by powerful people who care nothing for their future or wellbeing.
Let’s remember that we belong to God: we are created equal and we are “good” because we have been created by God. And, if we belong to God, it means we will see every person as my neighbour: and as we respect our neighbours, we remind them that they are good.
When we feel other people respect us, we no longer need to belong to, and be used by, powerful people who really don’t care about us: they speak empty words to please themselves.
When we are treated unjustly/ cruelly it can create a hardness in us that, initially, helps protect us. However, over time it becomes a wound that infects others: as we saw in the Gospel today. Even though the first man was forgiven much, that hardness/ woundedness was not healed. So, the pain was passed on when he was unable to forgive the second man.
It is easy to criticise and even despise the first man who was forgiven much. But do we not see the same reality here in Kenya when people from poor or moderate backgrounds rise to power and have little sympathy with the poor people? Instead of allowing their past and their present opportunities to ease the suffering of others, many only help themselves.
Are we also guilty, just in different ways? For the ordinary people in Kenya, life can be incredibly tough. When things are hard at the top, the pressure trickles down. Employers mistreat young employees and those on attachment; landlords lock out struggling tenants; people can turn on each other or on foreigners in a desperate scramble for survival.
We justify cheating, exploiting, or being ruthless with others because “life is hard” or “the system did it to me first.” However, Jesus gives us a warning: when we act cruelly toward our brothers and sisters, we completely cut ourselves off from God’s grace and mercy.
As the funny story goes: dad was harshly criticised at work, came home and growled at his wife who then shouted at her son, who then went outside and kicked the cat! How can we be different? How can we break the cycle? TRY by remembering but the good that others have done to us: forgiveness, a loan, food, etc. Pray for those people as an act of appreciation.
Dear young people, you are the hope for Kenya: God selected David the youngest. God is also selecting you as the youngest. Together we can break the cycle. You are more educated and welcoming. Let us use that intelligence to do small acts of kindness to one another, especially our neighbours, so that we create pockets of real community where they and us feel safe and appreciated. If the corrupt system “chokes” us, let us not turn around and “choke” others.
Others will trust us if we participate in community life: helping others, being present and being kind. People will then trust and involve you more, and bless you with gifts and meaning. As St Paul reminded us: we can be someone who either transforms or divides our community: “The life and death of each of us has its influence on others.”
Let us choose to give life to others, for that’s where we find freedom and joy for ourselves.
By Gerard Conlan, OMI