December 3, 2014

Psalm, Chapter 23, verse 4:⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.

Saint Pope John Paul II was an example of someone who walked through the valley of the shadow of death and feared no evil. The Lord’s rod and staff sustained him through the nightmare of the Nazis and the Communists. Both were evil empires devoted to the destruction of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all except for the few selected elite.  These empires systematically replaced God with the rule of the chosen ones of the State. People from both the Fatherland and the Motherland sat by and watched the evil grow without taking decisive action, making this adage true ‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men (or women) do nothing.’ 

As men and women of God we must remember to measure our nation and our politics with God's Rod (Rods were often used in ancient times to measure) and not the rod of political States or the media or the opinion of the rich and the powerful. 

Let us be ever ready to speak up for what is righteous using God's rod, which are His laws of justice and mercy, working tirelessly and remember Saint Pope John Paul II words of encouragement, “I plead with you – never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.”

Let us also carry with us for the journey the Staff of God which is truth.  We should measure the world's misrepresentations of truth with Gods truth. 

Today work toward becoming the crucible of change by being truthful in thought, word and deed.  Following the example of  Pope John Paul II who stated, “The word of truth, publicly, indeed almost liturgically, proclaimed was the antidote the Rhapsodic Theater sought to apply to the violent lies of the Occupation. The tools for fighting evil included speaking truth to power.” [1]

[1] George Wiegel, Witness to Hope, 1999, p66.