So Let It Be
It was said that after Pope John Paul I was elected he read the papers of the previous
Pope and saw the notes of destruction of the Pilgrim Church. The notes were not words of
hope, but of the destruction of the church. Perhaps as many have suggested, it was this
that brought on the pain that caused his demise 34 days later taking him from his beloved
church.
The church, not individuals suffers when there is strife within. When phone calls and
e-mails are written, that are about building the church, or showing love for others, it
facilitates destruction. Love and hope cannot be buried with words, it rises to bring hope to
a new future.
As we have begun this Lenten season, we must pray for those who have wronged us, we
must never attempt to repay vengeance or vindictiveness with the same, it only breeds
more pain.
Many claim allegiance to the Holy Spirit, but in my walk I have not known the Holy Spirit
to ask us to be the instigators of strife. On the contrary, it encourages us to reach out with
a hand of love offering comfort when needed and share its love with one another.
The hard part of strife within the church comes when it is done by those who claim love for
the church, those who constantly talk of loyalty, but yet find idle time to run a mock, but
efforts of such grows to victory when the others see through, vindictiveness, vengeance
and maybe even jealousy, doors open, friends surround you, love regains its rightful place.
St. Francis of Assisi once wrote, "It does not matter where you walk but how you walk." It
is the light and the goodness of the Christian walk that will always shine through, it is the
loving goodness of people that always triumph.
Likewise in choosing the path you take in life, do not blame others for the decisions you
have made. Taking responsibility is the first step of reconciliation, especially if those
decisions were pushed on others who did not agree with them and warned you to be
cautious. The right to make a mistake is for everyone's choice, but we must hold fast and
learn from them, prayerfully trying not to make the same again.
Forgiveness too must take place, not only in this season must we make lip service to it,
but we must sincerely do so. How can we talk of entering the kingdom of heaven if herein
this dwelling place of earth we cannot forgive our brothers who have wronged us?
In his first word on the cross, Jesus, after being whipped, spat upon and pretty much
killed, makes a plea, "Father forgive them for thy know what they do."I pray that as we
journey through this Lenten season that we too, especially leaders of the church will find
that grace, peace, dignity and love to render unto to all the peace and forgiveness of
Christ.