Building Peace with Justice

Building Peace with Justice is a brief, weekly bulletin reflection on Catholic social teaching written by members of a Rochester Diocese Public Policy sub-committee. This is the reflection for
August 16, 2009

In the second reading from Ephesians we are told that "all bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you." When we look into our hearts honestly we see how hard, even impossible, it may be to do what this passage requires. But though it may be impossible for us, it becomes possible and even easy, if we open our hearts to the action of the Spirit.

Reflection: Whenever we discover bitterness or anger in our hearts, towards ourselves or others, let us put aside our condemnations and ask to be filled with the Spirit's life and love instead.