“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.
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
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