Emotions are Morally Neutral - 7th Sun of Ord Time - Episode 13
Join Dr. Gerry and Dr. Peter this week as they discuss the difference between experiencing morally neutral emotions and the actions that follow. Learn one way to identify your primary negative emotion as well as the difference between holy self-sacrifice and being a doormat in relationships.
Overall Takeaways
Dr. Peter: Emotions are morally neutral, but what we do with emotions can be good or bad.
Dr. Gerry: The path to holiness is through love.
Key Verses from Sunday Readings
"You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart.
Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen,
do not incur sin because of him.
Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
I am the LORD."
Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen,
do not incur sin because of him.
Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
I am the LORD."
“Brothers and sisters:
Do you not know that you are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person;
for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.”
Do you not know that you are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person;
for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.”
"You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you.”
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you.”
Where Catholicism Meets Psychology
- The readings have a progression from internal to external. God wants us to avoid “bearing hatred in our heart” first before we take action to “love our enemies.”
- When we hold someone else’s faults, criticisms and negativity, we foster hatred in our own hearts. Getting caught up in online criticism of the world and the Church plays on our vanity.
- Practicing “holy indifference” allows us to be responsible for only our own actions and remain detached from others’ actions. It allows our identities to be free and recollected.
- Paying attention to our daydreams can help us diagnose our primary emotion. Do we relive situations looking for the perfect cutting comment? Do we plan out what we’ll do next time that coworker irritates us?
- When you make a self-sacrifice, consider whether you lose your identity or build up your identity to determine if you are being holy or being a doormat. You have to be able to say “no” in order to freely say “yes.”
Action items
Dr. Peter: Think about which emotion dominates you, then try to practice first in your heart how you can love in that situation instead.
Dr. Gerry: Pray for someone in politics or the Church whom you despise.