No malice nor hatred

The Catechism explains this Commandment in these words: “To hurt nobody by word nor deed…To bear no malice nor hatred in my heart”. (1) To hurt nobody by word or deed means we must never speak unpleasantly to other people or about other people, and we must never do anything to harm them in any way.

Hatred

“To bear no malice nor hatred in my heart” – malice means an ill-will that wants other people to suffer harm.  Hatred is an attitude of mind that wants another person out of the way.  Thus hatred is the first step to murder.  Of course, it is possible to hate another person without murdering that person.  Nevertheless, every murder begins with the murderer wanting someone out of the way before he or she actually puts that person out of the way.  So St John tells us, “All who hate a brother or sister are murderers” (NRSV, 1 John 3:15) – meaning a murderer at heart.  That is why hatred is a serious sin.

Anger

Anger is often an expression of hatred.  When someone is angry with another, he or she may very likely commit the sin of hatred by wishing the other person out of the way.  If we are angry with anyone, we should always get over it as quickly as possible.  So St Paul has told us, “…do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil” (NRSV, Ephesians 4:26,27), meaning, “Do not keep your anger up after the day is over, otherwise the Devil will get a footing in your soul”.

Sometimes people feel disgruntled or sad at the skills and abilities of other people, for example, in sport or schoolwork.  This can lead to unhappiness and even bullying.  But God has given us all different gifts and we are all good at something.  We can honour God and show our love for him by being thankful for what he has given us, and thankful for what he has given other people.