Yet days will come upon you when your enemies will surround you with barricades and shut
you in and press on you from every side. And they will dash you to the ground and your
children with you, and leave not a stone within you, for you did not recognize the time
and the visitation of your God.”
Reflect
Sometimes when I look at the state of the world I, like Jesus, want to weep. There is so much
violence, injustice, and hatred. Children go hungry, are deprived of education, and die of
curable diseases. Poor communities are devastated by natural disasters and people are
forced to migrate to find safety or employment. At the same time, the wealthy look for ever
more exaggerated ways to spend their money and wealthy countries exploit their poorer
neighbors and the planet.
But while weeping is understandable, it is not enough. Like Mattathias, we need to be willing
to say, “Enough. Even if everyone else goes along to get along, I will not. I will do something.
” I don’t recommend Mattathias’ recourse to violence, but no matter your state in life, there
is always something you can do to make things better: give, pray, help, speak out. Let your
tears wash away your indifference and put
your faith in action.
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