the vengeance of god
"Why, then, did you not fear to speak against My servant Moses?" —Numbers 12:8
"Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses" (Nm 12:1). "So angry was the Lord against them that when He departed, and the cloud withdrew from the tent, there was Miriam, a snow-white leper!" (Nm 12:9-10) " 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,' says the Lord" (Rm 12:19). The Lord stands up for His people. He takes personally any attack on us. Remember that Jesus flattened Saul and said: "Saul, why do you persecute Me?" (Acts 9:4) when Saul went after the Church.
Because the Lord avenges His people, we:
- must never speak against or attack a child of God,
- don't have to avenge ourselves, and
- can be fearless, bold, free and secure.
Sometimes the Lord does not immediately avenge His people. For example, we ourselves have sinned and are partly responsible for torturing and crucifying Jesus. Apparently, we've gotten away with this, or at least we haven't been struck down by a lightning bolt as yet. However, the Father will eventually avenge the murder of His Son, Jesus. Therefore:
- Repent now and go to Confession.
- Don't worry if those who attack you get away with it for a while.
- Call others to repent.
- Share willingly in Christ's sufferings (see Phil 1:29).
Prayer: Father, make me fearless, forgiving, and forgiven. Mary, pray for me.
Promise: "Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water, moving toward Jesus." —Mt 14:29
Praise: Mary was the basilica and tabernacle of Jesus as she carried Him for nine months of pregnancy. Praise You, Jesus, for giving us Your mother to nourish and guide us (Jn 19:26-27).
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, February 1, 1997
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 4, 1997