Question first appeared on February 6, 2000
You
are supposed to love your fellow man no matter what, but even
"Christian" people get into conflicts with other religious groups. How
is that justified?
It
is never justified. The teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ are clear: "You
have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, and pray for
those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your
Father in heaven;" (Matt. 5:43-45a).
I
am reminded of what the late dean of St. Vladimir's Seminary, Protopresbyter
Alexander Schemann, asked us in class one day, "Do you think that Satan is
in the area around Times Square in Manhattan?" With all of the corruption
evident in that area, we all answered in the affirmative. Fr. Alexander said,
"No, he's not there. He doesn't need to be there, because it's already
under his control. He's here in this seminary, trying to disrupt the Church and
keep it from fulfilling its mission of bringing salvation to the world."
The
harder we try to imitate Jesus Christ and be like Him, the greater will be the
attack that Satan launches against us. Yet, we should not despair at this,
because Christ has overcome Satan and will continue to give us the strength to
do His Will if only we want it,
|
Back to Keyword/Topic Index |
Home |
|
