Christ sets the example of toleration; Angels: Day 286

Still meditating on the instructions in Revelation “to the angel of the Church in Ephesus,”  St. Augustine tells us that Christ himself  set the example of tolera– tion by tolerating Judas, his betrayer, in the midst of his disciples.

I know I’ve left out many examples. If you are willing and able, read the divine records for yourself: you’ll find that all the holy servants and friends of God have always had to bear with some among their own people. They shared the sacraments of dispensation with them, and not only were they not defiled when they did that, but they were to be commended for their tolerant spirit—“eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” as the Apostle says (Eph. 4:3).

Observe, too, what has happened since the coming of the Lord. We find many more examples of this toleration all over the world, if they could all be writ- ten down and verified. But listen to the ones that are on record. The Lord himself bears with Judas, a devil, a thief, his own betrayer; along with the innocent dis- ciples, he allows him to receive what believers know is our ransom. The Apostles bear with false apostles. Among people who are looking out for their own things, and not the things of Jesus Christ, Paul—who seeks the things of Christ, and not his own—lives practicing a very noble toleration.

In short, as I said a little while ago, the person who presides over a church and is called an “angel” is commended because, though he hated those who were evil, he still bore with them for the sake of the Lord’s name, even when they were tried and found out.

–St. Augustine, Letter 43, 23

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

How do I, like the “angel of the church in Ephesus,” find the proper balance between toleration and giving in to evil?

CLOSING PRAYER

Guardian Angel, keep me from anger when divisions arise in the Church, and show  me the way to unite rather than divide God’s people.

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