Hatred Stris Up Conflict

“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all wrongs.”  (Proverbs 10:12)

Recently being the victim of vitriol spewed by a young yard worker where we are staying, I was struck  by the animosity being experienced in our country. There is no exemption, no environment safe from assaults on one’s senses. Everyone places blame somewhere; all hearts appear to be void of charity, forgiveness, dare I say absence of Christ-like attitudes.

I question, “How did Christ as human, yet also divine, stand all the abuse Jewish leaders heaped upon him?”  Finger pointing, anger, betrayals and finally persecution; the same cruelty hurled upon many today.

WWJD?

A mind picture would help me, and someone better than me forwarded this to me.

It is written by Fr Timothy V. Vaverek:  This is the moment to reflect on the degradation of Jesus on the Cross.  Jesus says,” Yes, I am degraded, my Word is twisted, set aside, and I am abandoned even by my own.  I bear, I tolerate this as I bear your sins and the evils you commit innocently.  I oppose them and suffer them because  I LOVE YOU.  (My caps).  Will you join me in this love, bearing my joys and sorrows, tolerating the evil done to me?”   …”This is how Jesus remained free of despair or rage amid fallen and sinful people.”

For us forgiveness is a process, not a one time acclamation.  Beginning with desire to forgive, an act of will, an acknowledgement of human frailty, one can only turn to Christ.  Resentment, grudges, retaliation do not help me or the one who offends.

Teresa of Avilia’s bookmark prayer is helpful.  “Let nothing disturb me, nothing frighten me.  All things are passing. God never changes. Nothing is wanting to him who possesses God.  God alone suffices.  Without You I can do nothing.”

Luisa Piccaristas’s writing sent by an old friend reminds me “ We must be more patient, more kind, more perceptive. And more prayerful. The novena prayer is more specific: “Jesus I surrender myself to you, take care of everything.”  Get over it by giving it up, taking revenge, hatred, from my heart. Already I feel pounds lighter!

It is time for my prayerful response.  This may take a while as I am only a weak human being.