As she notes, St. Angela
explains how Christ empowered men to have power over Him. This fact marks
Christ as the Man of Humility, reminding one of the beautiful icons of the
Great Humility, one shown here.
He gave the power to judge, accuse, revile, and insult Him
to those men around Him. He gave power to those who hated goodness to beat,
mock and kill Him.
This poverty provides an example for those Catholics who are
facing real persecution. God will allow persecution for three reasons: one, to
show the glory of His martyrs; two, to bring many to Him; and three, for punishment
of those who hate Him.
Christ teaches us patience in tribulation and hard times.
Yesterday, I failed in this matter once, a clear sign of how far I am from
holiness. I was angry with someone who revealed hatred for me. I told this
person he was rude for criticizing me for being ill with asthma and coughing in
front of him. He did not want me to cough. But, I did not pass the test of
love.
Anger is not the proper response, but patience, objectivity,
and love for those who hate us. I know God will give me more chances to pass
the test of love.
I do not share this to show the response of the other
person, but to show how we each are to respond in love. Some of my dear readers
already react to hatred with love. But, for those of us who are still not quite
there, I encourage us all. And, one
cannot be upset with one’s self for failures to love. Without God’s grace, one
is weak and chooses to sin.
Simple lesson-not to be upset with either one’s self or
others in the face of sin, although one can feel sorrow and confess, one should
not be so proud as to not accept one’s own sinfulness.
Anger may be a natural response to hatred but this is not
the response of Christ, my model in all things.
Americans cannot endure shame, which is one reason so many
immigrated to this fair country. The pride which makes men think they have
gained all prosperity and goodness by themselves distorts Christianity in America
The last point covered here today from St.
Angela regarding the poverty of Christ is that He allowed Satan to have power
over Him.
Angela states this: “…He did give the devil power over Him
that He might be tempted and led into danger, and persecuted even unto death,
in order that He might thereby liberate man from the devil’s power.”
We can liberate ourselves, through grace, and liberate
others, (see my Code Breakers series), by accepting suffering and becoming
humble.
Without grace and the acceptance of grace, one finally
realizes one is nothing and can do nothing without God.
Any other choices will keep us imprisoned in our own egotism
and self-will.
To be continued…