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Sixth Story About The Trial, part II

Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009

 

I like to read In Conversation With God by Fr. Francis Fernandez. It comes in several volumes, each for different time periods. Volume 5 covers weeks 24-34 of the church year, the time period we have been in. The first meditation in the book is entitled "Unlimited Forgiveness." What a great preparation for the trial, which was still 6 weeks away.

 

The week of jury selection, week 28, one of the headings was "Corresponding to the call from our Lord." That's what the jurors were doing. The writing quoted Scripture: "He will remove the mourning veil covering all peoples...He will destroy death forever. The Lord will wipe away the tears from every cheek." The meditations are filled with sweet encouragements and firm reminders, such as: "It is a very serious matter to reject the Lord's invitation, to live as if God were of little relevance..."

 

In Week 29, as jury selection continued, Fr. Fernandez wrote: "As ordinary citizens, Christians have the obligation of rendering to the state whatever material goods and personal services are required for the common good...civil authorities...have to govern with the greatest respect for the natural law...this includes the protection of life." That's what our district attorneys and judges do - try to defend life. The writings go on to discuss service, prayer, hope and the readiness of love. Father tells us that this readiness to meet our Lord should be "centered on charity towards others, on the formation of our character, on the effort to be more cordial, to live a constant spirit of service, to be cheerful..."

 

The trial started on Monday of the 30th week. The heading for that day was "Looking Up To Heaven" - something we did over and over again. Tuesday's meditation is entitled "The Glory of the Children of God" and of course, I think of Brian and Aaron. Wednesday's is called "Afterwards You Will Understand." 

 

The trial went on. Our second Monday. The writing was entitled "Without Waiting For A Reward" and subtitled "Being generous even when our efforts seem in vain." This Scripture is quoted: "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?"  

 

Wednesday's was entitled "Understanding Suffering" and we read what we all know but still can't fully understand (hence, last Wednesday's reminder!): God created man to live with Him free from sin; sin entered the world and ruined God's plan; sin brought pain and death; God became man and suffered the greatest Passion and Death and He turned our pain and suffering into an immense good. Then Scripture is quoted. Scripture I don't think Brian or Aaron had in mind but were living it: "In my distress I cry to the Lord that He may answer me. For we are powerless against this great multitude that is coming against us. We do not know what to do but our eyes are upon Thee."