Take your pick. Would you rather be this (if so, fill in the white blank with your face):

Or like this:

We think we know the answer, but it’s relevant at this time when so many have been deceived into “righteous indignation.”

In other words, it has become fashionable even among many Christians in the public square to spew venom.

Justified anger. That’s how we excuse it in ourselves and others. But always remember that Satan is the great accuser and that Scripture says, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone” (John 8:7).

Mercy before justice.

When, recently, a misguided young man badly vandalized the apparition site of Medjugorje in Hercegovina, instead of anger and retribution, one seer explained, “Madonna has been inviting us for decades to peace, to conversion, and to prayer. That is why even today we must not allow hatred to generate new hatred. Our response is not fear, but faith.”

Often we don’t realize two things: that fear causes anger and hate and that we often dislike in others what we dislike and need to purge in ourselves. When we die, we will be given mercy in measure to our own.

Are you without sin or flaw, any imperfection? Are you blameless in all problems and with all people you have faced?

If your answer is “yes,” the next question is: Have you prayed to detect and eradicate any hidden pride?

For pride is the energy of the enemy, as are anger and deceit, and we don’t want that.

Feed him no power. Give your mind and emotions to Jesus. Love is behind mercy. Arrogance is power of persecution. We all go through persecution. Rely totally on Him. Let summer rest be a time of inner evaluation and meditation.

Head for an oasis of graces.

Pray and sanctify your innermost self and find the sweet taste and comfort and mercy of peace.

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