Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

16th Sunday In Ordinary Time (July 17, 2005)

Suggested Emphasis

"Those who are just must be kind."

Salesian Perspective

The Book of Wisdom is unambiguous when listing the characteristics of divine justice: care, clemency, leniency, repentance and kindness. Far from insinuating that God is somehow "soft," these (and other) characteristics describe the nature of true strength, authority and power.

This is the great paradox of divine love: although sin and evil can provoke divine punishment, they are ultimately more likely to receive divine mercy, leniency and kindness. Francis de Sales observed: "Far indeed was Adam's sin from overwhelming God's kindness; on the contrary it aroused and called forth God's kindness. As if to realign its forces for victory, God's kindness made grace to abound yet more where iniquity had abounded....Indeed, God's providence has left in us many great marks of divine severity, even amid the very grace of God's mercy; there are, for example, the fact that we must die, disease, toil and sensual rebellion...but God's favor floats as it were over all this and finds joy in turning these miseries to the greater profit of all who love him." (Treatise on the Love of God, Book II, Chapter 5)

No where do we see more clearly the just power of God exercised with such kindness and forbearance than in the life and legacy of Jesus Christ. St. Francis de Sales wrote: "In a word, our divine Savior never forgets to show that 'his mercies are above all his works.' That his mercy surpasses his justice, that 'his redemption is copious,' that his love is infinite and, as the Apostle says, 'that he is rich in mercy,' and consequently, that he 'wishes that all be saved' and that none should perish." (Treatise, Book II, Chapter 8)

On the practice of virtue, Francis de Sales wrote: "Some virtues have almost general use and must not only produce their own results but also spill over into all other virtues. Occasions may not often present themselves for the exercise of fortitude, magnanimity, and great generosity, but gentleness, temperance, integrity and humility are virtues that must mark all our actions in life."

The practice of virtue is, in fact, a sharing in and sharing of God's power and promise. How should we respond to such divine power - power expressed in patience, leniency, clemency and kindness?

First, we must repent. We must acknowledge our need for God's saving, redeeming and reconciling justice. Such power not only helps us to turn away from iniquity but enables us to do what is right and good.

Second, we must exercise the divine power in which we share (by nature of our creation and redemption) by forgiving one another: by practicing and extending care, clemency, leniency and kindness to our brothers and sisters, especially when they either purposely or thoughtlessly hurt or harm us.

Divine justice is best served by kindness. How ready are we to receive - and share - such a powerful, redeeming gift?

Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS is Executive Director of the De Sales Spirituality Center.