Christ said: In this world you will suffer persecution, but in such wise that the persecution will not overwhelm, and the attack will not overcome you. Against Christ’s army the world arrays a twofold battleline. It offers temptation to lead us astray; it strikes terror into us to break our spirit. Hence if our personal pleasures do not hold us captive, and if we are not frightened by brutality, then the world is overcome.
At both of these approaches Christ rushes to our aid, and the Christian is not conquered. If you were to consider in Vincent’s martyrdom only human endurance, then his act is unbelievable from the outset. But first recognize the power to be from God, and he ceases to be a source of wonder. —St. Augustine, Liturgy of the Hours, Vol. 3, p. 1316
And where will this power come from? From the descent of the Holy Spirit at an hour which will come in the midst of chaos. For chaos has been sown and chaos will be reaped.
You live in the midst of a rebellious house; they have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear… Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: In my fury I will let loose stormwinds… (Ezekiel 12:2, 13:1)
No comments:
Post a Comment