Feb 13 Thu
What should I do when they attack me unjustly?
The Lord says: “Had you wandered to the ends of the heavens, the Lord your God would gather you even from there, would come there to reclaim you and bring you back to the land your fathers possessed, so that you in your turn might make it your own, prospering there and increasing even more than your fathers.
“The Lord your God will make all these curses recoil on your enemies who have persecuted you. And again, you will obey the voice of the Lord your God and keep all those commandments of his that I enjoin on you today.
“The Lord your God will give you great prosperity in all your undertakings, in the fruit of your body, the fruit of your cattle, and in the produce of your soil. For again, the Lord will take delight in your prosperity as he took delight in the prosperity of your fathers, if only you obey the voice of the Lord, keeping those commandments, and if you return to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul." (Deuteronomy 30:1-20)
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" How great was that man who was given light, and favored by that light! The light he saw did not fade at dusk. Souls assuming this light do not fall into sin or stumble on vice.
Our Lord says: “Walk while you have the light in you." This light is himself. Thus, He said: “I came as a light into the world, so that those who have eyes may not see and the blind may receive the light." The Lord then is our light, the sun of justice and holiness, who has shone on his Catholic Church spread throughout the world. Hence, we should claim: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?"
The man who has been thus illumined does not limp or leave the path, but stands all things. He thinks of his true country still afar, and he puts up with adversities. He is not saddened by the difficulties, but finds his strength in God. He fights his pride and endures, and grows in patience through humility.
When this light begins to shine upon the person who was in darkness and the shadow of death, in the darkness of evil and the shadow of sin, he reacts, examines himself, and repents saying: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?"
Great is this gift from God; with it, one fears neither sickness nor tiredness, and disregards pain. If He enlightens and saves me, whom shall I fear? Even though the dark shadows of evil thoughts crowd about, “The Lord is my light." They can approach me, but cannot prevail; they may raid my heart, but cannot conquer it. Though the blindness of evil desires assails me, again I say: “The Lord is my light." For He is my strength; He gives himself to me and I give myself to him. Run to this physician while you can, or you may not be able to find him when you need him.
Excerpts from a sermon by John the Serene, bishop.
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