The worldly are wheeling and dealing — manipulating, conniving, and lying — filling the sky with towers of Babel. They rip off the poor man and promote severe injustices. However, the Lord doesn't seem to do much about it. "He will not contend or cry out, nor will His voice be heard in the streets. The bruised reed He will not crush; the smoldering wick He will not quench" (Mt 12:19-20).

Nevertheless, the Lord conquered "the shakers and the movers" not by shaking and moving but by becoming one of the poor and the oppressed. He became a Lamb led to the slaughter Who opened not His mouth (Is 53:7). He suffered the injustices of all people. He was not only ripped off but scourged and crucified. He died as the perfect sacrifice, innocent of sin and loving His enemies. Thus, He overcame the world (Jn 16:33).

We also can conquer the world by believing in Jesus, the Conqueror of the world (1 Jn 5:5), insofar as we act like Him — that we suffer redemptively, forgive mercifully, and love unconditionally. Those expressing their faith through the nonviolent militancy of the cross conquer the world by love. When we believe in Jesus enough to act like Him and love like Him, "we are more than conquerors" (Rm 8:37).

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 29, 2009

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