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| Saint Damien de Veuster of Moloka'i |
I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.
The voice of condemnation that we sometimes hear is not the voice of Jesus. Nor is it the voice of the Father, for the words Jesus speaks are the words of the Father. The voice of condemnation we hear is the enemy. He tells us that we're too lost or too broken to be saved. Even when we fail, God does not speak condemnation to us. When we fail, he offers us mercy. When we stumble in darkness, he offers us light so that we don't have to remain in darkness.
I came into the world as light,
so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
Let us listen to the voice the speaks life, the words of the Father, the commandment that is eternal life. Let us learn from the early Church who spends time worshiping the LORD and fasting. They give the LORD room to speak. They put distractions as far as they can from themselves and listen.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,
"Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul
for the work to which I have called them."
The early Church is directly directed by the Spirit. We need the Spirit's direct intervention in our own parishes in order to experience the fullest fruits from our attempts at evangelism. If we learn to listen to the voice that speaks life, rather than the voice which condemns and says that it is too late for us or for the world, we will see the word of God continue to spread and grow. We will see the light shining.
May God have pity on us and bless us;
may he let his face shine upon us.
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