Dealing with Adversity Thursday, Nov 13 2008
I wanted to write one last column on the current political situation prior to returning to our discussion of St Paul’s letters.
I have been listening to some of the post election coverage and I am amazed with what I am hearing. One of the refrains that I keep hearing is that this is a real set-back for the Pro-Life movement. That will remain to be seen, however it is a setback only insofar as we allow it to be a setback. No matter what others may do in terms of policy, legislation, or judicial appointments we must be vigilant and consistent in our support for life in all its stages from conception to natural death. We must continue to peacefully make our voices heard.
If you read last week’s column you saw where I told you that in praying about the election outcome I felt the Holy Spirit had pointed me to a particular passage of scripture. Well I have continued to pray and once again I was lead to a particular passage in scripture. This time it was the Gospel according to Luke 22:31-38.
“Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers.” He said to him, “Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you.” But he replied, “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day; you will deny three times that you know me.”
He said to them, “When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals, were you in need of anything?” “No, nothing,” they replied.
He said to them, * “But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, namely, ‘He was counted among the wicked’; and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment.” Then they said, “Lord, look, there are two swords here.” But he replied, “It is enough!”Then going out he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him.”
A commentary on this passage stated that Jesus is warning his followers of the opposition they would face in a world that is hostile to their teaching. The commentary goes on to say that when Jesus sharply ends the discussion on having a sword, he is actually cutting off the discussion because his disciples were taking literally his figurative language about being prepared to face future opposition.
So in reality what has changed? The answer is not much really. Perhaps those of us who felt strongly about the Pro-Life agenda feel that we somehow lost. The real answer is that nothing has really changed. We still have to live our faith with courage and conviction. We still have to form our conscience. We still have to pray. We still have to be aware that Satan still wants to sift us like wheat. We still have to know that the forces of secularism and relativism in this world are going to resist the message of Christ.
So maybe what we have to do is remember the words of that old hymn, Onward Christian Soldier. We are marching as to war but we are armed with something more powerful than swords. We are armed with the truth as proclaimed in the Sacred Scriptures and taught to us by the Magisterium of the Church. We are strengthened by the graces available to us through the sacraments. Just as the disciples followed Jesus out to the Mount of Olives, we follow the cross of Christ. Just as the Apostles, strengthened by the Holy Spirit persevered to build the Church that exists today, we who received this same Holy Spirit at our baptism and confirmation, have been commissioned to continue that work of building the kingdom no matter the opposition.
“Do not be discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15