Our saint with the great name, St Commodianus, talks to us today about who we really fight in A Year with the Church Fathers. And he gives us good advice. He says to stop fighting one another, and fight our sins. Fight the real enemy - the lusts and envies and addictions that threaten our immortal souls.
But he uses one little phrase in the midst of this great advice that stopped me in my tracks. He says, "If you are rich, be gentle to those who have little." Be gentle. It's such a great mental image. When you see those whose lives have been ruined by disaster, even of their own making... and who are now in ruins. Be gentle. Take care of them. Help them up. Respect their dignity. Speak kindly to them. Open your heart to them. Be gentle.
Some of us have to go out of our way to find the poor. Some of us live right next door to them. Whatever the case, the next time your path crosses that of those "who have little", remember St Commodianus's advice.
Be gentle.
God, thank You for letting us in on Your little secret... how gently You care for the poor. Please help us do the same.
1 comment:
Amen
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