Holy Spirit, help me resist evil, not evildoers...

 
Matthew 5:38-42

 
In the course of life we are constantly given choice to engage in either the good or the evil that seem to be ever-present around us. When I choose the ‘good’ I resist the evil –whether it presents itself by intent or innuendo, by any one of the seven deadly sins or by innocent deceits, by delicious temptations or by smoldering resentments. The trap is that when a person is the bearer of evil, we tend to ‘shoot the messenger’ and resist the person – and fall headlong into the deadly set of interpersonal sins: judgment, name-calling, revenge, violence, or even ‘murder’, to name but a few. Instead of resisting evil, we are enticed to resist the evil doer, and walk right into the violence and darkness of Satan, becoming just another propagator of evil in this world. Jesus calls us – calls me –to resist evil, but to not resist the evildoer. Instead, of working against the evil-doers ourselves, we are given the choice to do good to them, with the Light, and Life, and Love of the Holy Spirit and so resist the evil that is trying to deflect our intentions away from the goodness of God by wounding or eliminating others. Will I turn away from Jesus to resist the evil doers in my life, or will I keep my focus on Christ Jesus who loved evil-doers so much that he resisted evil with is body spread-eagled and nailed to a cross? Will I engage in evil-resistant Love and resurrection to resist evil, as Jesus calls me to do? Holy Spirit of God, help me resist evil, not evil doers.
   
Blessed are the merciful; they shall receive mercy. (Matthew 5:7)
 
May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Saint Paul writing to the Ephesians 3:17-19
 
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei
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