Another thought to share, from the writings of Archbishop Joseph Raya, of blessed memory:

Quote
I dare now speak these silent echoes with a loud voice: I am sad to see so many Christians simply making a list of the wrongs of life � the injustices, the horrible deeds, the destructive elements. There is or has been a wave of sadism among Christians who constantly tend to criticize and defame whatever does not come up to their noble expectations and desires. It is time for us to take stock of our dignity, of our inner beauty, and of the high calling God has chosen for us.... We are creatures of magnificence and destitution, of heartaches and exaltations. We all recognize the need for continual growth.... fretting discloses a penchant to enslavement and to a pusillanimous [fearful, cowardly] approach to God. Yet, both anxiety and pusillanimity are so common, especially in the Christian attitude towards life. Looking with the Eyes of the Gospel will awaken the Christian consciousness to its grandeur, beauty, and dignity. The Eyes of the Gospel focus on God, nature, humanity and eternity, seeking to delve into the very essence of being with awe and admiration.... The hatchet is the favorite instrument of those who judge others without discussion. Let us remember that the hatchet was at the heart of the pile of arms carried by lectors, the bodyguards of dictators. The healthy attitude of the Christian against the temptation of using the hatchet is sharing. Sharing is the message of the Gospel, the Eyes of the Gospel, the attitude of Christ. It is his Kingdom. Celebration is sharing.

"One day all our ethnic traits ... will have disappeared. Time itself is seeing to this. And so we can not think of our communities as ethnic parishes, ... unless we wish to assure the death of our community."