Margaret Cortona
Loser saint.
"Let the dead bury their dead."
From Mother Elvira Petrozzi, foundress of Comunita Cenacolo, on the subject of losing:
"... Someone will have to 'lose' so that peace can reign. Yes, peace is more important than anything, and to know how to 'lose' is our security."
"Let the dead bury their dead."
Christians are not approved by the world - indeed, Christians often do not approve of one another - all the snark online verifies that much. But how does that concern me when my job is to follow Christ? St. Seraphim Sarovsky assures us, "Keep yourself in peace and thousands around you will be saved." So there you have it - that is what I understand by the words, let the dead bury their dead. It is in reality a going out of sorts - outside the city gates, bearing the insult Christ bore. For here we have no lasting city; we are seeking one which is to come. Through him let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is the fruit of lips which acknowledge his name. Our life is hidden with Christ in God and I need to fix my eyes on him, who inspires and perfects my faith.
"To lose always and let everyone else win is a trait of valiant souls..." - Maxim 58, St. John of the Cross
This post is so relevant to me today. A few days ago someone that grew up in my neighbourhood started a FB page about that place. It was fun going down memory lane, seeing some names pop up of people I had known back in the day, some old photos were posted. Then the bad memories started coming back - being bullied for 3 years, etc. Actually someone started a thread on that. Some comments were made that I disagreed with. One person said none of her friends would ever bully anyone. Wrong! Acting like a silly teen I stalked her page and found a number of people who had bullied me or my friends. I let that fester all night. This morning I went to Mass and I was looking at the crucifix and thinking - why, God, why did I have to be bullied and it still hurts 30+ years later? Why do I have to take the high road and not call these people out but I have to forgive them? And I looked some more at the crucifix and I realized he took the high road and he forgave his enemies and as a Christian I am called to do the same. Then Mass started and the reading from Hebrews 12 reminded me to "pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled." Thanks be to God that was the word of the Lord. Thankfully, two good and true friends were at Mass this morning and we decided to have breakfast together as we left the church. God is so good and sometimes he speaks SO clearly!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad. Imagine whn we meet in heaven and can know ourselves even as we are known! God bless!
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