August 4th Fast

 +JMJ

“The obligation we have to love our neighbor is so important that Jesus Christ put it into a Commandment that he placed immediately after that by which he commands us to love Him with all our hearts. He tells us that all the law and the prophets are included in this commandment to love our neighbor. Yes, my dear brethren, we must regard this obligation as the most universal, the most necessary and the most essential to religion and to our salvation. In fulfilling this Commandment, we are fulfilling all the others.” (St. John Vianney)

 How easy it is to give of one's resources to a worthy cause or even to present a gift to another who bestows lavish praise for one's thoughtfulness. How much more difficult to have peace with familial or fraternal relations? A material donation may require a single sacrifice while the gift of energy, emotions, time, etc. demands continuous self-denial, that refuses to tally any mounting costs.

The devil cannot endure tranquility and communion and so he uses various means to sow tension and discord. Subtly he tempts one to focus on trivialities, amplifying the weaknesses of the other while purposely obscuring and minimizing his strengths. All the while, he assuages the ego of his listener, magnifying the injuries he has received, cunningly whispering,"See how selfish that other person is! How he clings to his will while he ignores how often you have yielded so generously!"

In the midst of this inner dialogue—as one proudly trumps his own imagined magnanimity, and laments the other's perceived petulancy— does he ever stop to consider how the Evil One relishes this triumph of his? As he allows the devil to further divide him from a loved one, does he realize how his pride and resentment have so blinded him that he can see nothing but his own narrow view of endured injustices?

There are very real and painful deep wounds that exist in personal relationships, but there are also many cuts that may appear deep but are really only superficial, though irksome. Living in communion involves great sacrifice but also creates an opportunity for immense gratitude. It requires setting aside pride in order to obtain peace but also prompts one to reflect not just on what he has given up, but what he has gained. Christ invites man to rejoice in the good of the other, while excusing his faults; to accept his weakness, and praise his strength.

"Dear Sacred Heart of Jesus, we renew our pledge of love and loyalty to you. Keep us always close to Your Loving Heart and to the Most Pure Heart of Your Mother. May we love one another more and more each day, forgiving each other's faults as you forgive us our sins. Teach us to see you in the members of our family and those we meet outside our home and to love them as you love them, especially the poor and the oppressed, that we may be instrumental in bringing about justice and peace."