TRUE ZEAL FOR GOD

As a tree on fire kindles a whole forest into flame, so a Christian, burning with the fire of heaven, can set ablaze a continent with the light of truth and the warmth of charity. 

A Christian burning with true zeal will not waste his time with worldly matters that burn up like straw and stubble. He raises himself to God and aims at heavenly things.

Paul describes the Pharisees as having a zeal that is not of God, a zeal "not according to knowledge." How come? "Being ignorant of God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." This is the leaven that corrupted all their good works.

"Zeal for Thy house has eaten me up," Christ exclaimed. And this is zeal for His house: to do one's best to set aright what is wrong. And, if you cannot mend it, to endure it and prayerfully and tearfully mourn over it.

When such a Christian grows old, his body weakens but his mind is stronger than time. And while his body crows cold in death, a HOLY ZEAL glows in his heart unimpaired, undiminished, guiding him to eternal happiness.

True zeal is a sweet gentle flame. It never calls for "fire from heaven" to consume those who differ from us. True zeal saves the soul and tries not to hurt the body. It makes us a source of edification and never a source of destruction.

St. Augustine

(07-28-03)