No Tolerating

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/081314.cfm) reminds me that God does not tolerate evil.

God's silence does not mean his absence.

In the first reading, we see how God had the evil people slain. It was an evil city, and people were doing evil deeds. Majority of them. Only a few people were living in the way of God. Probably the evil people saw themselves as invincible, powerful people - since no one stands up to them, no one can stop them, and God seems silent and allowing all the evil to happen. But God would not be silent forever. In God's wisdom and in his perfect timing, he knows when to punish the evil ones and sparing the good people.

God does not tolerate evil.

He may sometimes be silent but he does not approve of evil.

In the gospel we see Jesus teaching his disciples how to correct. Again, we see that he does not approve of wrong, of evil. But there is also a proper way of correcting. We don't confront or correct with the intention of shaming the person for the wrong done. Correction should be done in love. Discreetly if possible, unless otherwise necessary to get the attention of the offender.

Nowadays, we may think God is silent. Evil people prosper. Evil people are powerful. And unfortunately, evil is becoming more common or more acceptable for some. However, this will not be forever. In God's perfect time, He will strike down the evil in this world, and save those who are living his ways. May this inspire us to keep living in the right way, and move us to correct others with love and humility.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another midweek. Thank you for your reminder that you do not tolerate evil, and that your silence does not mean your absence. Lord, help me remain faithful to you, despite all that is happening in this world. Help me have my eyes fixed on you. And give me a heart that would love others so much that I would not be satisfied to remain silent and not correct them. May I love and live like Jesus did. Amen

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-