It
is at times like this in our village earth when some neighbors commit
abominable wrongs against another, that we find it most difficult to abide by St.
Paul’s teaching to: "Rejoice
always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the
will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18)
Our
communal sense of injustice cries out to high heavens demanding that the Lord
right these wrongs, right here, right now… only to realize the existence of uncountable
injustices having happened (like the Maguindanao massacre), happening, and
still to happen all over this global valley of tears…
God’s
Word reminds us: "Do not seek or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD". (Leviticus 19:18) "It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them". (Deuteronomy 32:35) “Do not repay anyone
evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody” (Romans 12:17) “Never take your own
revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written,
"VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.”
(Romans 12:19) “…and do not give the
devil a foothold.”
(Ephesians 4:27) “…in this matter, no one should wrong his
brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins,
as we have already told you and warned you.” (Thessalonians 4:6) “… The
Lord will repay him for what he has done.” (2 Timothy 4:14) “For we know him who said, ‘It is mine to
avenge; I will repay,’ and again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’” (Hebrews 10:30).
O,
Lord, God of Power, Might, Peace, Justice, and most of all, Love: we cast upon You these burdens we
cannot understand; we entrust to Your Grace and Mercy the soul of our sister, Dr
Maria Santos Gorrostieta, whom You have now called back to You, the One-Source-of-All;
we pray for Your blessings and protection for her family; and we pray, even as
we ask our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints to intercede, for our sister
republic, Mexico, that the Father may purge it soon of the curses of drugs and
crime, and bring it to the Lord’s peace and joy: and that an appropriate divine cleansing and calm be also granted to our beloved Philippines: in the mighty name of Jesus,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
