“We Christians are supposed to be different from those who don't know Christ, are supposed to function by the same passions that motivate the Heart of Christ. But this is a tall order indeed for our poor human nature, so weak, so hesitant, so fearful. … On the healing strength of (the ) immortal Food, given us in Word and sacrament, and by it made one with the Incarnate Word, we will surely find all the vitality and joy we need to fully live out our genetic identity as ‘offspring of the Most High, who is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.’
Dying Christ’s death with Him, we will rise with Christ and have His very Blood circulating in our veins. Then, motivated by the same impulses that motivate Him, and as servants of Christ with Christ the servant of all, we shall be able to achieve the apparently impossible:
Love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, pray for those who abuse us, and give, expecting nothing in return. In other words, we will stop living by the deadly logic of our unredeemed impulses and begin to live by the saving logic of God. And God’s logic dictates that it would be a crime not to communicate to others – all others, whether friend or foe – the very life we have so generously and freely received from Him, while we were still His foes.”
Erasmo Leiva-Merikas (Father Simeon)
Cistercian monk, St Joseph ’s Abbey, Spencer , MA
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