Have you ever had to decide what to do when faced with a conflict between what the church teaches and what society tells us to do? How difficult this can be especially when it involves those you love. What is the right thing to do? We hear “love the sin- ner, hate the sin”. The love part is sometimes easy, but how do we share our perspec- tive and remain in relationship when confronted by someone that just won’t listen? How do you hold onto what you believe is Divine Truth when your religious liberty is not respected and you are forced to comply? Do you give up your job, do you close down your business or do you throw up your hands and just do it out of exasperation? What would Jesus do?

This topic is so prevalent in our day and we have paused to ponder how to react. What would Jesus do? He certainly didn’t avoid the sinners. He met with them and dined with them and loved them. He didn’t compromise. He didn’t say that’s ok just keep doing what you’re doing. He patiently taught. He told parables, he preached and he showed love. Can we do the same? By the grace of God and with his undying love yes. Through all of the difficult circumstances and difficult people that we encounter we must persevere.

In our mission as baptized Catholics and in our call to piety, study and action we must. We must continue to sow the seeds of compassion, love, patience and apostolic action. We must fuel our mission with piety and study first so that we are equipped with the full armor of God.

“Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the ar- mor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Sprit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:10-17

Praying for your peace and perseverance,
Justine & Bill Bojan