Today begins 40 Days For Life. We should consider the following.
Years ago, when Nijole Sadunaite, a Catholic, was sentenced in Soviet Lithuania, she told the court: "We owe to Caesar only what remains after having given to God what is His due. The most important thing in life is to free heart and mind from fear, because yielding to evil is the greatest sin."
Yielding to evil is the greatest sin. What a simple but deep insight~!
Yesterday, September 21, was set aside to remember St. Matthew, apostle and evangelist. He wrote the opening book of the New Testament. And speaking of abortion, Matthew is the only one of the Four Evangelists to relate how Herod killed many little boys, two years old and under, in an effort to kill our dear Lord. This event is called in the church "The Slaughter of the Innocents". You can find the account in Matthew 2.
But then keep reading. In the next chapter, Matthew 3, John the Baptist comes preaching, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Keep reading. In chapter 4 Jesus devotes Himself to fasting forty days and nights to do battle against the evil one. Keep reading. In chapter 5 begins the great Sermon on the Mount and this instruction: "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Keep going, one more chapter. In chapter 6 we are given the Lord's Prayer and its closing line (in the earliest form), "but deliver us from evil".
Yielding to evil is the greatest sin. But this means something else. It means that fighting evil is the greatest virtue.
But how~? How do we fight the Slaughter of the Innocents~? With what weapons~? Matthew describes the arsenal, and the Spirit enables us to use each one.
Repentance. Let us repent throughout these forty days in two ways. First, repent of the sin in your own life, turning away from it and not returning. Second, repent on behalf of our society and its sin.
Fasting. Join your Lord in the practice of fasting. Go without a meal or a particular food you're accustomed to. Such fasting, properly understood, works humility and can deepen your prayers and faith.
Loving Witness to the sanctity of human life. "Let your light shine before others." Standing and holding a vigil near an abortion clinic is a powerful and yet gentle, loving witness. Use a candle to remind yourself of - and communicate to others - the Light of Christ, His love and forgiveness.
Prayer. Many beautiful prayers will be said throughout these forty days. Among them will be the prince of prayers, taught to us by the Prince of Peace. Pray the Lord's Prayer from all your heart.
Caution: These are extremely powerful weapons, thought weak in the eyes of the world. They will intimidate our true enemy, but also incite him to greater ferocity~! "But thanks be to God, who is giving us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ~!"
May the Crucified, Risen, Present Jesus help us in every way! Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment