Where true charity dwells, God is present there.
A friend loaned me Rome, the HBO series. It's a disgusting film - full of sex and gore - so I haven't been able to watch the entire thing, although I appreciate the sets and costumes and historical detail. If anything, the series helps one to understand the phrase, "the sin of the Gentiles is they lacked charity". The hatred and lust is graphically depicted as I implied - but the complete lack of charity is so starkly depicted, it is almost startling. It reminds me of St. Paul's letters (especially Romans) and his cautions to the new Christians.
Likewise, I think the rawness of the film helps one comprehend the complete change the coming of Christ had upon humanity. Mercy and love literally poured out from the cross, upon civilization, down through the centuries, giving birth to a culture of love - charity. As Christianity spread throughout the world, charity increased; thus even our post-Christian era benefits from the warmth of its flame, which burns for all to see in the Catholic Church. Although we see evidence of charity in our secularized culture today, it is very often perverted. As society continues to decline, we see ourselves becoming more and more like pagan Rome, We see ourselves becoming mean and selfish and full of self-love. Yet the Church remains unchanged, and though love may not be loved, and the love of most may grow cold, it is still charity and love which sustains the world and which lasts forever.
I've noticed some really angry, nasty blog posts and comments online this week - Catholics fighting one another, ripping one another apart, about petty matters. Perhaps there are serious concerns, and as usual at this time, matters which concern the liturgy in certain places - but the fighting and name-calling seems to me to be out of order for Holy Week, and especially now, as we enter the Sacred Triduum.
Remember Lot's wife:
Take warning from the example of Lot's wife who, because she was disturbed at the destruction of Sodom, turned back to look at it. God punished her for this, and she was 'turned into a pillar of salt' (Genesis 19.26). This teaches you that it is the will of God, even if you were living among devils, you should so live as not to turn back in thought to consider what they are doing, but forget them utterly. You are to keep your soul wholly to God, and not to suffer the thought of this or that to disturb you. - John of the CrossI hope to do this, I will try to do this, at least during the Triduum. I will try to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus - who walked in peace through the midst of them, carrying his cross amidst the noise and clamour of the crowds.
