“…those who are just must be kind…” Wisdom 12:19
The Lord is good and forgiving, offering each one of us, His beloved children, every chance to repent and turn back to Him. Yet in today’s world, so many reject His loving offer and turn to violence and anger, seeking revenge rather than peace and forgiveness. The mantra “no justice, no peace” is reversed in God’s merciful message in today’s scripture, which tells us that those who have no peace in their hearts cannot be just. Those who are just, must be kind.
Is what we are seeing now representative of the full growth of the evil that has always existed among us? Have the weeds grown to full stature, and is the harvest at hand? You can expect to see the evil one raging against the children of God as we near the end, for his time is short and he knows it. The current movement in our nation began in the name of justice, but we see that it wreaks havoc, burns cities, destroys memorials of the saints, and kills those who stand in its way, even the innocent bystander. A young mother, a business owner, a retired policeman, and an eight-year-old child number among the many who have been killed in the violence.
Now the attacks intensify against those who bear the name of Christ. Statues of the saints are counted with the oppressors and destroyed. Ironically, the statue of St. Junipero Serra is the first one torn down, although he was a tireless advocate for the rights and dignity of native peoples. Our Lady’s images are defaced; the memorial to St. Louis is threatened, churches burn, cities are left in ruins. This evil has nothing to do with justice. Although this movement may have started with good intent, the fruit it has borne gives witness to its corruption. It is time for Christians to stand together. All those who believe in the mercy and goodness of God must come together, united in peace and love, to put an end to this violence. This is the only way we will achieve true justice. If we belong to Christ, it is our calling to bring the peace of God to the world. Whoever has ears, ought to hear (Mt 13:43).
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