November 4th Fast

+

JMJ

"There can be no doubt that if we wish to emerge intact from the present crisis, society must be rebuilt on a more durable foundation, that is to say, more in conformity with the law of Christ, the first source of every true civilization.  It is no less certain that if we wish to attain such a goal we must begin to making families Christian again, many of which have forgotten the practice of the Gospel, the love it demands and the peace it brings.

 . . . peaceful and well-orded family life makes for good relationships and good citizens.  No one knows this better than those who strive to expel God from society and throw it into turmoil, who spare no effort to deny the family the observance or even the remembrance of divine law, who extol divorce and free love, and who impede the providential task entrusted to parents with respect to their children, instilling in husbands and wives a dread of the physical fatigue and moral responsibilities which accompany the glorious burden of a large family." (Dear Newlyweds, p.45, Venerable Pope Pius XII)

This quote- though delivered in a talk at the end of 1940, in the middle of World War II- could have easily been given today. We pray for peace in the world, but we must first have peace and order in our own homes.  Order that is centered on Christ, peace that flows from Christ.  An army remains in a country after it has won the victory to maintain order and ensure peace.  Christ has won the victory for us, but we must, with the help of His grace, work for the peace.  Our sacrifices not only help others but ourselves as well, and in helping ourselves we are aiding in the peace of the whole family (our own and the family of the Church).  We must fast and sacrifice to discipline our passions, our desires.  Sacrifice tempers souls' passions; it softens our hardened hearts, allowing them to be more open to listening for and accepting God's will.


Living in a militantly secular society that openly persecutes Christian families, clergy, and religious is the reality we face.  When we face persecution and insults, lets remember the words of St. Paul:

"For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of the wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Eph. 6: 12-17)

 Let our love for Christ, our hope for heaven permeate our sacrifices tomorrow and every day.  God bless you!