Astounding Quote

Good morning and may the peace of the Lord be with you this day.

 

I am still without Companion though I am still trying to solve that problem.  However, in today's meditation from Fr. Mark at http://www.v2000.org we are provided with an astounding quotation.  It applies today to our efforts to bring peace to Iraq and to the world.  Social justice is Christianity in action.  But, we are called to create and effect change peacefully without violence and bloodshed.  For those oppressed this means more patience and more waiting for liberation.  We call ourselves followers of Christ.  But, look at Jesus.  He effected change without espousing violence - ever!  21st Century American-style Christianity is in error and an abomination of the Gospels.  We badly need to reread how Jesus calls us to love even our oppressors and our enemies and to forgive even those who would kill us, "If you love only people who love you, you will get no reward.  Even sinners do that.  And if you are nice only to your friends, you are no better than other people.  Even those who don't know God are nice to their friends.  So you must be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."  Matthew 5:46-48 

 

Here is what you will find on Fr. Mark's site this morning: 

    "Nicolai Lenin rose to power in Russia after the revolution in 1917.  When the fighting and killing ended, Lenin made this amazing statement: "Without a doubt

    the oppressed multitude had to be freed.  But the method we used to free them only triggered more oppression and more bloody massacres.  The nightmare I now

    live with is to find myself in an ocean red with the blood of countless victims.  We can't change the past now, but what we truly needed to change Russia was ten

    saints like Francis of Assisi."

 

"...ten saints like Francis of Assisi."  Apparently even Lenin understood the horror and mistake that is violence and the correct solution that is love.

 

I have watched my children grow up steeped in the joy and the rush of violence - the philosophy of modern American entertainment.  It brings me great pain that I have not filled them with the joy of peace and love in all situations.  But, no one taught me peace so I could pass it on.  My heroes were soldiers and warriors.  No one taught me that being oppressed and working "the problem" from within was the Jesus-solution.  No one really taught me the Gospel of Jesus Christ which calls us to do good to those who would harm us, to pray for them, to love them.  I grew up with a deep faith and a true desire to live as God would have me live.  But maxims like "The Lord helps those who help themselves" and "Use common sense" were spoken louder and more often than "...love your enemies.  Pray for those who hurt you."  Matthew 5:43-44  No one ever really said, "To live according to the Gospel is better than to kill for justice."  We could learn from Lenin.  We should learn from Christ.  We should learn from Francis.  We should learn from Gandhi.  Peace and love and compassion are more important in the long run than power and wealth and comfort and a full belly and even freedom.

 

Please pray for all our special intentions especially for our children who are serving in our Armed Forces around the world.  May they return home safe and healthy.  May they perform their duties correctly.  May they be compassionate when they are allowed to be.  May their efforts bring lasting peace in the Name of Jesus Christ.  Pray that our leaders will embrace Jesus' message.  May our Church have the courage to stand firm in Christ rather than bow to politics and popular opinion.  May each of us turn to Jesus this Lenten Season, confess our errors, change our ways, and embrace the Gospel.

 

Father, we adore you and praise you.  We recognize that we have been created solely to do your will.  Our own desires are for nothing if they are not your desires, also.  Help us during this season of repentance and awareness to decide to change, to embrace your Son and the Good News, to become Christian.  We ask this in Jesus' holy name.  Amen.

 

 

In Him and in His love,

Lou