The First Reading from the Mass for today is an exhortation against holding resentments.
Leviticus 19:1-2,17-18: “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them: Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy. ‘You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.’”
(Via USCCB.)
As alcoholics and addicts we are told quite frequently about the dangers of holding onto resentments. They are dangerous to our continued sobriety and do not serve any useful purpose. They only hold us back in our spiritual development.
The Lord tells us something more, however. Holding a grudge prevents you from being holy. “Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.”
We are made in the image and likeness of God, and it is our duty to “keep that image polished,” so to speak.
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My sponsor told me, “Resist not Evil” When preparing for mass today I read again his wisdom.
When I speak in meetings about not fighting my defects it drives some people nuts. I used to be one of them.
When I engage my defects I am wrestling with something much more powerful than me. As I engage it, I get wolloped!
ONLY by His grace and His will for the things that blocks my usefulness for Him will be removed. Thank God I’m not having to do it all on my own.
That’s an interesting take on the topic, and I had to re-read it to get the gist of it. I think I know you’re meaning. On your own, you cannot fight defects, thereby engaging them on your own willpower you will lose. Only by the grace-filled help from God can you overcome your character defects.
I get it! 🙂