Monday, July 24, 2006

From Mr. Michael Brown at Spirit Daily

Small wonder that Our Lady of La Salette was seen to be weeping. Our loving Mother is heartbroken over the fact that so many of her children rebel (dissent from) her Son's Church and engage in the spirit of contention which Mr. Brown speaks of in his article.

Let us all strive to imitate St. Rita of Cascia, who is also known as the peacemaker. For those of you who are not familiar with her story: http://www.saintritachildren.com

The Church's authentic peace, as Pope John XXIII reminded us, is always at war with every kind of sin and error. But we must never be at war with one another! Remember the words of St. Augustine: interficere errorem, diligere errantem: kill the error, love the one who errs. This is the road to a sure peace. Our war is with the principalities and powers who incite hatred, jealousy and every kind of strife among men.

Being a peacemaker isn't for the faint of heart. It requires courage. Glorious courage. And it is always committed to the truth while respecting the person who may be in error. There is no contradiction here. Jesus shows us the way. While He never backed down in fear when it came time to defend the truth, He never returned an insult when He was insulted.

If only we had Our Lord's patience. The patience He displayed when others laughed at Him, mocked Him, spat on Him, beat and scourged Him and crucified Him. Wonderful patience Lord. Teach me Your patience. Help me to die to self so that it is only You Who lives in me Lord Jesus. So that I may always respond to every action and word of hatred and violence directed at me with love only.

Amen.
Paul

3 comments:

Marie Cecile said...

This is a wonderful post. Courage is definitely not for the fainthearted, especially when it comes to being a peacemaker.

It is wonderful that Michael Brown put one of your post on SpiritDaily. I'm happy for you. You do terrific work for God. Keep it up.

God love you,
S. Marie Cecile

Paul Anthony Melanson said...

So do you Marie Cecile,

Jesus is using you to spread His Gospel message of peace. Please pray for me.

Marie Cecile said...

You and your family are in my prayers daily.

God be with you.

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