Wednesday, August 20
Melius tarde quam nunquam...
This is actually from Monday's Office of Readings, but it's something like 1500 years old, so what's a couple of days, really?
From Saint Gregory the Great:
"Holy men beset by tribulation must endure the assaults of those who use violence and verbal attacks. The former they resist with the shield of patience, but against the latter they launch the sharp arrows of true doctrine. In both types of fighting they win the day through the wonderful arts that virtue bestows, for with wisdom they teach the wayward while showing a courageous contempt for outward hostility; the straying sheep they set on the right path by their teaching; the attacker they suffer and overcome."
How's that for marching orders? (I always did prefer the term "Church Militant" to the rather boring "Pilgrim Church") Even amongst the warfare imagery, though, there's also a pertinant reminder to use prudence in our evengelization and to speak the truth in love, which can be all too easy to forget when Prostestants, liberals, and the culture in general start calling Mom names.
My favorite part of this passage, though, is the assurance that we will "win the day" through virtue, wisdom, and courage. Something to remember in the dark days of our culture.
This is actually from Monday's Office of Readings, but it's something like 1500 years old, so what's a couple of days, really?
From Saint Gregory the Great:
"Holy men beset by tribulation must endure the assaults of those who use violence and verbal attacks. The former they resist with the shield of patience, but against the latter they launch the sharp arrows of true doctrine. In both types of fighting they win the day through the wonderful arts that virtue bestows, for with wisdom they teach the wayward while showing a courageous contempt for outward hostility; the straying sheep they set on the right path by their teaching; the attacker they suffer and overcome."
How's that for marching orders? (I always did prefer the term "Church Militant" to the rather boring "Pilgrim Church") Even amongst the warfare imagery, though, there's also a pertinant reminder to use prudence in our evengelization and to speak the truth in love, which can be all too easy to forget when Prostestants, liberals, and the culture in general start calling Mom names.
My favorite part of this passage, though, is the assurance that we will "win the day" through virtue, wisdom, and courage. Something to remember in the dark days of our culture.
![[SMMMHDH]](http://www.mgilleland.com/music/smmmhdh.png){kind=small}
