"Let all contention cease." Let us defend the faith like Our Lady and St. Francis de Sales!

I subscribe to Benedictus, the monthly prayer companion for traditional Catholics. Every issue offers a virtue of the month. May's virtue is meekness, certainly appropriate during the month of Mary who "pondered all things in her heart." Can you imagine Mary engaging in the tsunami of rude and contentious behavior so common on the internet hiding behind a mask of anonymity? I don't mean to imply that those who engage in rude and contentious behavior under their own name behave legitimately. "Love is patient; love is kind. Love is not rude," as St. Paul tells us. 

The meditation on meekness from St. Francis de Sales led me to think of the recent contentious discussions in the comment section of the blog over the situation in the Middle East. Many people seem to lose all sense of civility in promoting their position. I'm right; you're wrong. Your opinion be damned! 

Frankly, I'm tired of it. I've banned the Middle East situation as a subject on the blog for at least the next month. All the angry, fighting words don't add one iota to a solution. Time spent writing dissertations arguing about it would be better spent praying the rosary for peace.

I love St. Francis de Sales for many reasons, not least that he often uses bees as a metaphor for the spiritual life. That delights my beekeeping heart!

So I offer the meditation from St. Francis today and invite all those who comment on the blog to take it to heart.

Meekness and mildness of heart is a virtue rarer than chastity, and yet it is more excellent than that and all other virtues, for it is the end of charity which, as St. Bernard says, is in its perfection when we are not only patient, but also kind. It is necessary, however, to have a great esteem for this virtue, and to use every effort to acquire it.

If you wish to labor with fruit in the conversion of souls, you must pour the balsam of sweetness upon the wine of your zeal, that it may not be too fiery, but mild, soothing, patient, and full of compassion. For the human soul is so constituted that by rigor it becomes harder, but mildness completely softens it. Besides we ought to remember that Jesus Christ came to bless good intentions, and if we leave them to His control, little by little He will make them fruitful.

Let me pose this question to blog visitors. What is the point of your comments? Are they just to puff up your own pride? Do you want to explore an issue with someone else in the pursuit of truth or just be a clanging gong for your own opinion? 

I was conversing the other day with a gentleman who says he reads the blog regularly. He was giving me some additional information about something I wrote, but assured me he wasn't criticizing me. I told him I have no problem with criticism as long as "you do it kindly." I don't want to publish anything that is untrue; I welcome solid information from those who know more than I do about an issue. That leaves a wide scope for comments since I know almost nothing about many, many things.

I want to defend the truth without anger or bitterness or pride. That's a tall order and I would appreciate the prayers of all blog visitors. I pray for you regularly and I certainly need your prayers. I presume the good will of those who comment here unless they give me reason to doubt it. I don't want to rashly judge anyone. Let us all pursue the virtue of meekness as we work to defend and spread the faith. And going to Confession often can be a big help in realizing that goal.

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine.