“Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together, against the Lord, and against his Christ. ‘Let us break their bonds asunder: and let us cast away their yoke from us.’ He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them: and the Lord shall deride them. Then shall he speak to them in his anger, and trouble them in his rage.”
Look out over the earth, o Theophila, and at the desolation that people are bringing about by sinfulness, by turning against the Lord, and realize that Jesus looks at them in a certain way: “Seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them: because they were distressed, and lying like sheep that have no shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). People rebel from the ways of the Lord and do which is contrary to love, or merely empty work, which is what is meant by rage and vain things. The stream of sinful pattern comes from higher powers than the ordinary people, for they would not be so lead if a path of sinfulness were not laid before them. It is Herod that brought about the massacre of the Holy Innocents, and those that actually committed the atrocities against those children would not have done so were it not for his commands. Similarly, in your time, there are forces at work looking to lead people into sin, be it government, social influence, individuals, and all of these would not be tempted so were it not for the devil and his fallen angels, who all collectively said, “Let us break the bonds of God, and follow our own path,” and seek to bring about the same declaration in the hearts of those they tempt. While this can seem overwhelming and atrocious, particularly when you see the depth, gravity, and multitude of sins taking place, with people flinging off the yoke of true love, acting for themselves and what delights them, take solace in your Mighty King. Before the awesome power of Love, all actions opposed to Him are less than nothing, but crumbs thrown into an ocean of mercy, and that which opposes His kingdom fades, but His love does not fade: “Who brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever. With a mighty hand and a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 135:11-12). All action against the Most Holy Trinity is but a child crying out against their parent; it does not hurt, it does not wound, but God desires that this be healed, that they may know how loved they are: “For Christ, we beseech you, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Therefore, He sees the tiny actions that the nations attempt against His Almighty Majesty and moves against them: “Appoint, O Lord, a lawgiver over them: that the Gentiles may know themselves to be but men” (Psalm 9:21). Sometimes, His voice of correction is a loud one, as He sends His holy angels to prick the consciences of those that are opposed to them. This is why silence and solitude is so oppressive to many, because they must listen to their souls crying out desperately for a change, for while they will to be going in one direction, their nature, so desirous of God, cries, “Convert us, O Lord, to thee, and we shall be converted: renew our days, as from the beginning” (Lamentations 5:21). He is outraged that His child, so wounded and beaten down by the enemies of salvation, has found themselves in this place where they oppose Him. O exile, o bleak life that does not love Love. Thus, it is on you, o Christian, to plant the seeds of love within hearts, that the pressure from their consciences may find an opening to love, that the barren land may be watered and bear fruit. Finally, it is important to use your perspective now to look at the victories of the Lord: The thoughts of pagan temples are ludicrous, which were once everywhere. All that has sought to bring down the Catholic Church has fallen upon itself, with the feebleness of what is false being manifest throughout the centuries. Thus, the Lord laughs and looks with derision upon what is opposed to Him, for these are towers that are built that attempt to climb to heaven that He dismisses in an instant compared to His eternity. What seems dark now will fade, but the merciful love of the Lord is forever, and it is that which will make your life victorious: “To him that shall overcome, I will give to sit with me in my throne” (Apocalypse 3:21), like a child in the lap of a loving parent, you will sit with your King, a display of the victorious might of love over the enemy: “O clap your hands, all ye nations: shout unto God with the voice of joy, for the Lord is high, terrible: a great king over all the earth. He hath subdued the people under us; and the nations under our feet” (Psalm 46:2-4).