The Politics of Corn, Codfish, and Cranberries

In 1677, a century before American independence, the Massachusetts Colony enraged King Charles II by coining their own currency, the pine tree shilling. To smooth the ruffled royal feathers, colony leaders sent the king a gift of three of their choicest local products: Indian corn, codfish, and cranberries.

History is replete with events spawned by the ravaging effects of anger, in the form of economic retailiation, violent retribution, and even internecine wars. Less frequently, efforts to subdue the anger of a protagonist have been fortuitous, as "wise men turn away anger" (Prv 29:8). It has not always been by means of peace offering such as corn, codfish, and cranberries; more often it has been accomplished with calming words and disarming love for "a gentle answer turns away wrath" (Prv. 15:1).

When anger is so controlled that is directed exclusively against the evil behavior and not the evil person (a most delicate distincton requiring exquisite maturity), it is called "righteous indignation"; that was the anger Jesus expressed in casting the money changers from the temple. Meekness checks our anger against the offender as a person, but it also enables us to bear any insult from that offender, and to "turn the other cheek"; in that sense, we must learn to imitate "the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Cor 10:1), who said, "Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart" (Mt 11:29). Let is pray for that grace.

This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net