OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD

I couldn't write yesterday, I could only pray. It seems the world can't bear the evil it must. Dark clouds on so many horizons gather while we sit watching, preparing, perhaps even expecting. In Romans 8:22 Paul says, "We know that the whole of creation has been groaning as in the pangs of childbirth right up until the present time." The world under our feet must shudder as the darkness of men's hearts spills onto its soil.

Stories filled our minds and hearts as we remembered: heroes who lived and heroes who died and so it will continue to be. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21 In our own neighborhood a local store is held up and the children cowered in fear as they experienced lock-down in the darkness of possible terror. We are overcome by evil when are emotions are locked down by fear.

We overcome evil with good by emptying our souls of the debilitating darkness that fear brings and live in the light. The paralyzing pain of loss and grief in the world does not need to cripple us; we can bring life. I will need to clear my own heart of hatred, of my little violence done to others, and extend forgiveness to all and be willing to consider God's mercy.

I have the smallest of candles, a mere flicker amidst the world's great darkness, but I can be a light and my light, along with yours, will begin to dispel the darkness. I can believe that God is greater than any evil known to man, I can choose to trust in His mercy for those who are suffering. I can hope."You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand and it gives light to the whole house.
 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5:14-16

What kind of light are you bringing to those around you?

Medicine from Sacred Writing:

The command to forgive others sets us free from all revengeful passion; while promising in return for this to pardon us also, God holds out good hopes, and instructs us to have high views of the  unspeakable mercy of God towards men."

John Chrysostom    Fourth Century