>From: "kennethhorne" <kennethhorne@...> >Subject: WAR AND CHRISTIANS IN IRAQ >Date: Sat, 14 Dec 2002 10:38:39 EDT > >I pray for peace daily and ask Our Lady and St. Joseph to pray that the >president and other rulers incline themselves to peace. In JMJ, Kenneth+ >-------------------------------------------------------------- Fr. Kenneth+ Amen. In the mystery of holiness the Patriarchs, Prophets, and Poets of Israel learned that God used the nations to punish one another for evil. They learned that even the madness of men would ultimately serve God's purposes in history. In the mystery of the Incarnation evil religious and venal political leaders were unwitting players in bringing in the Reign of God. The Son of God admonished Peter to put away the sword; the Kingdom would not come by that means. The victory was won at the Cross. In the mystery of the continuing Body of Christ, the power of the Incarnation extends the Kingdom into the evil world, redeeming it. That True Light does not force its way into homes, lives, or kingdoms of men by armies of liberation or compulsion. This is the mystery of Godliness; God was in Christ (and still is) reconciling the world to Himself. Indeed our prayers should be for peace. We should emulate those early Christians from St. Paul to Clement of Rome who advised, "Do not be overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Those saints understood Eucharist. They understood that united with Jesus Christ they were privileged and thankful to pour out their lives in service. Christians in our time seem not to have apprehended that mystery. "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." That may be my Christmas message. Charles+ _________________________________________________________________ Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail