tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post7640863259894017803..comments2024-02-09T02:48:13.776-06:00Comments on Daily Meditations with Fr. Alfonse: Mt 5:38-42 What To Do When Others SlapFr. Alfonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02557206560119402976noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post-29447723868326015182015-06-18T07:22:11.568-05:002015-06-18T07:22:11.568-05:00I like when you write about Christian persecution ...I like when you write about Christian persecution in the world. Christians need to know about it because the situation grows worse and worse everyday.<br /><br />Discussing that issue also sheds light on how to bear persecution. It is not as easy as willfully ignoring abuse and trying to move on. Turning the other cheek means to confront the evil as well as endure it. It is a nonviolent protest. Merely suffering abuse without grumbling will enable the persecutor and encourage him. The Christian might be asked to pray in secret, but he shouldn't suffer in secret; the whole world should know the truth about the good and evil in it.<br /><br />Jesus does not ask His disciples to fight other men, but to fight the evil in them. We have to liberate and preserve the good like Christ and apostles did. I think making that distinction is key. Hence, the disciples will fight with words the evils of the men persecuting them. In the Roman Empire they had no other choice. In light of the Muslim invasions and the Crusades, St. Thomas Aquinas and some others had to develop a Just War doctrine that incorporated the same idea of fighting the evil, not the man. Christians do fight, but not for their own needs, but for the needs of their enemies. <br /><br />In the wake of ISIS, Christian communities, the oldest still in existence, have to flee or die. The moral imperative for any nation that has the means to fight this nation of terrorists is as clear as day. They are the bad guys possessed by an evil and false religion. Yet they grow in number as the world looks the other way. This is not turning the other cheek, this is cowardice! Even the Christian refugees aren't allowed to come to the West for asylum, even though their suffering resulted largely from America's fecklessness in the region. Ugh, there're so many things wrong with his scenario that telling the victims to simply take it and move on seems like the most un-Christian thing to say. <br /><br />Continue reflecting on this. Argument has a place even if that place is your own mind. Let courage animate you and keep away petty motives. But, don't silence yourself. For the sake of your enemies, fight the good fight as Paul did, and win that battle for souls. Benedict Augustinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07274188116075677081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post-13508521918292457062015-06-16T09:26:48.118-05:002015-06-16T09:26:48.118-05:00Great post! I really needed to hear this today. I&...Great post! I really needed to hear this today. I'm LDS (Mormon) and am trying hard to live the peace-filled life, love everyone , and make Christ proud of me, but some days I just want to scream in frustration and anger. My son and his wife are Atheists and seem to take pleasure out of posting atheist nonsense on Facebook and it breaks my heart somedays. They have a little boy 1 years old now and I despair over his being raised without any church fellowship. I know in my heart though that Christ is aware of all this and I leave it in His hands to lead them back home someday in His time and His way. Thank you though for lifting me this day with your wonderful words. <br />Love Tina xoMarguerite (Tina) Smith Harthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06654002122173967940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post-26859442442513725442015-06-15T23:38:51.108-05:002015-06-15T23:38:51.108-05:00Hey Katie! I am an Ursuline alum and I want you to...Hey Katie! I am an Ursuline alum and I want you to know I love your reflections. You bring up some great points, thank you! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com