The Seasons: A Poem

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Sunrise over Amazing Grasses Family Farm The mad Artist wields His brush, Painted colors rush, To life and give flush, Before the quiet autumn hush. The life seems to pour, As colors fall to the floor, To be seen no more, Outside the dark, grey door. Brightness from below, Sun upon the snow, High, cold clouds blow, Flakes and ice appear to grow. The man melts with little seen, Underneath, pale, grey green, Hides life in dark unseen, Waits for warmth and to careen. Buds on branches show, Patience starts to grow, Trickles, streams and veins flow, Bringing fruits of melted snow. Sprung to life it springs, Bees, birds, sound rings, Lush green flings, Its gift bounty brings. Green growth gives one last rush, Underneath the Painter's brush. The mad Artist wields His brush, before the quiet autumn hush. More poetry is available from James M. Hahn in  The Last Dragon and Other Poems  available now. My new book of cryptogram puzzles " Secret Messages from the Saints " is avai
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Our true enemy

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Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time

Today, Saint Paul tells us, in the letter to the Corinthians, that there are earthly ways of seeing the world and heavenly ways of seeing the world. Those of us who have been baptized into Christ should have a heavenly view of the world. We should not see as the world sees but as Christ sees. We have born the image of the first Adam in our sin. Now we are to bear the image of the last Adam (Jesus) in our holiness.

If we keep Saint Paul's teaching in mind it will give us a unique perspective on today's Gospel. Even today we might question how Jesus can expect us to turn the other cheek. How can we have something stolen from us and in return be expected to give up not only that which was taken but more as well? How can we be expected to give and not only not expect interest but not even expect repayment? We can do all of this if we have a heavenly vision. For if we have a heavenly vision we will see that we have only one enemy, Satan. Our enemy then, is never our fellow earthly citizen but the Father of Lies. How can our neighbor (Luke 10) also be our enemy. With a heavenly vision we can see that it is Satan who stands between us and our fellow man. He acts as an intercessor of sin.

Therefore, Jesus instructs us to not give in to the devil. He shows us how to defeat the devil - turn the other cheek, give more, don't hold on to anger, don't seek vengeance. Jesus knows that the true enemy is Satan and he mere uses us to fight against each other and possibly lose our souls. Jesus here is saying, "don't hit your brother for it was not he but Satan who tempted him. Don't you see how he stands between you and tries to destroy you both. You can defeat him by not seeking revenge." "If you do well, you can hold up your head; but if not, sin is a demon lurking at the door: his urge is toward you, yet you can be his master" - Genesis 4:7

The Church and Our Lord gives us further example of this in the first reading. David had the ability and power to take Saul's life but chose not to do so. Those with earthly vision, like Abishai, would say that David had the right to destroy Saul after all that Saul had put him through. Yet David had heavenly vision which made him realize that Saul's life was not his to take. In doing so David saved his own life and gave Saul the opportunity for conversion. The real enemy was not Saul but the devil. He was the one who placed Saul against David. He was the one tempting David to kill Saul.

We can love our enemies because in reality they are not our true enemy. They may hurt us, they may try to even kill us but only Satan is our true enemy and the sooner we unify our front against him they sooner we win.

FROM THE SAINTS - (paraphrase from today's homily from Fr. James Coleman Associate Pastor of St. Michael Church, Worthington, OH) - "Vengeance is a sword without handle or hilt. In order to use it you must grip the blade and in doing so you are the first one to be cut."

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