Men's Rosary

I have noticed a trend that I think is dangerous.  I sense that many are falling into  acceptance and tolerance under the guise of Christianity.  I have heard people say that “we are called to love,” but it seems more like an excuse to ignore and evade.  It is true that we are called to love.  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34)

How are we loving one another?  The temporal, touchy-feely things may come to mind.  A great definition of love was given by St. Thomas Aquinas,  “love is willing the good of the other.”  If we love in this manner our whole perspective may change.  As Catholics we need to be courageous enough to let our brothers and sisters know when they are sinning.  We also need our brothers and sisters to let us know when we are sinning as well.  We are all one family.  Family is supposed to look out for one another.  We are called to admonish the sinner.  We are supposed to be keeping each other on the right path and not hold disdain for the sin inside and acting as all is good in the name of love. This is actually the opposite of love and will place us in a sinful situation.   “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason with your neighbor, lest you bear sin because of him.”  (Leviticus 19:17)    We are to be mindful of our neighbor’s sinfulness and gently (lovingly) bring them back to the way of Christ.  We also need to be mindful of our own propensity to sin and be mindful of the temptations around us.  As we help others, loving them according to the definition offered by Aquinas, we love ourselves.  If we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31), it seems admonishing the sinner and being admonished as a sinner is love.

We are in a spiritual battle.  The devil is hard at work and his army is united and doing much harm.  One need only to look at the state of the world and the Church to see the advances he has made.  If we ignore him, we will perish.  Our soul will be lost.  Like any other army, we need to keep each other sharp and on guard.  The greatest thing we can do for each other, and the greatest act of love, is to help each other get to heaven!  We should keep in mind the Spiritual Works of Mercy: counseling the doubtful, instructing the ignorant, admonishing the sinner, comforting the sorrowful, forgiving injuries, bearing wrongs patiently and praying for the living and the dead.  Find courage to speak out about things of faith and strive to correct things contrary to Christ and the Church.  “And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the idle, encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:14)  Above all, we need to pray for one another and the Church.  We must be good ambassadors of Christ and speak to the truth which he himself gave us.  This will not go well with the world because the world hates Christ.  And remember that the ruler of the world is Satan.  If we are “good” with the world, that would be bad, it is better to be hated.  In the midst of this hatred, we will find love in one another and in Christ.  We must be honest with ourselves and our neighbor so we can be as Christ-like as possible.  “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the devil.  For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”  (Ephesians 6:10-13)

“To be a soldier of Christ is to be in constant battle.”  St. Teresa of Avila