Friday, October 11, 2019 – St. John XXIII, Pope Joel 1:13-15; Lk 11:15-26 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jesus said, “When a strong man fully armed guards his place, his possessions are safe. But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Lk 11:21-23
The most famous work of Pope John XXIII was convening of Vatican Council II. Moreover, his struggle for peace in the world remains his strong legacy. Many times he appealed to the powerful of this world to protect world peace. During the Cuban crisis he addressed a letter to Khrushchev, asking him to avert an imminent war. A few days later, the Vatican received a positive response from a Soviet leader. On the same day, US President Kennedy, who very much appreciated the Pope's initiatives, was made aware of this report. Despite the difficult period of the Cold War and the constant threat of nuclear conflict, John XXIII always believed that good has a much higher power than any evil, "Even though evil is a truly sad reality of today and yesterday, it can never - and we know that well - overcome the good."
Do you build peace in your area? Are you trying to ease the tension where you are? Do you trust that God has the power to overcome all evil in the world?
“Look at the way you are walking. Look at the way you talk. Look at the desires of your heart. Is there a God? Or is it just some add-on you've added to your life? ” Paul Washer
Words of Pope Francis
Words of Pope Francis