All...

Those of you who've been with this blog since the beginning have heard about the delinquint young man who lives down the street from us. Yesterday, as I was going on a walk with my mother, my wife, and my daughter, he lay on his horn in front of his house. I should have just let it go--he told me (with the f-bomb interspersed every other word) that he was working on his horn, and that it was his car, and he didn't give a you-know-what what the rest of the neighborhood thought. Went back over later to smoothe things out. Glad I did, as he's given other neighbors trouble (apparently one of them called the police) and if we can keep things as civil as possible on our side, so much the better. "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Rom. 12:18) and all that.

What, then, of the young man and his severely inappropriate comments about me (f-bombs aplenty again), my forefathers and my immediate family (the latter had, thankfully, already gone back to the house by this time)? Is it not unjust to allow him to continue to harrass us? Should he not be held accountable for his verbal terrorism? I have to admit, it shook me up for the later part of that evening and some of this morning; all the while I was imagining all kinds of violent confrontations...the Holy Fathers are wise when they say that imagination truly is a tool the enemy often likes to use...

Then, God be praised, Midday Prayers today (got up too late to justify Morning Prayers) really turned things around...prayers like "Save, O Lord and have mercy upon those who envy and affront us and do us harm, and do not let them perish through us sinners" and "help me in all things to rely upon your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal your will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that Your will governs all. In all our deeds and words, guide our thoughts and feelings. In unforseen events, let us not forget that all are sent by You. Teach us to act firmly and wisely, without embittering or embarrassing others."

Oh, the wisdom to be found through the Holy Spirit's guidance and inspiration as men of God uttered these prayers which have been used to walk the path of salvation throughout the centuries! To go back, also, to the Scripture mentioned before, a bit of context in the surrounding verses which is in much the same train of thought as the abovementioned prayers (vv 17-19):

"Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord."

Blessing those who (quite literally) curse you...or, in this case, "curse you out." Understanding that, as far as I am concerned, I am to respond to any goading with blessings. Should he try to pull anything, I have the authorities at the ready (he's got a warrant out, so they're quick to come over if something's reported). And, as I said in my initial post, if the worst should happen (God forbid +), neither he nor anyone else can do anything which the Resurrection from the dead will not restore.

Glory to God in all things.