By Jeffrey van Zuiden
Have you ever looked into the face of evil? Have you ever carried on a conversation with evil? Have you ever been into a house of evil? How about this; have you ever helped carry groceries into evil’s house? I have.
Today, I learned that a client of mine, is a member on the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood. I was left contemplating this all day. With the Gosnell Trial still fresh in my memory, I couldn’t help but discern my encounters of the past three years with this gentleman.
So what is evil like? Evil is polite and friendly. Evil likes to laugh, grill, travel, and garden. Evil says please and thank you. Evil has a pet dog that he loves. Even stranger yet, evil feels that I’m a stand-up guy and appreciates my service, and also when I help above and beyond my responsibilities.
In fact, not too long ago, evil had knee surgery. I helped him carry some items to different rooms. Another time while visiting, I put his groceries up for him. When I need a sales boost, evil will contribute to help me out. He has a face, a home, an address. He lives next door to you and to me. He eats at the same restaurants, shops at the same stores. Evil is even a patron of the local arts!
So what did this warrior of Christ, this foot-soldier of the light learn about his enemy? I learned something very important. Evil doesn’t usually know he’s evil. Evil thinks he is doing what is right. Evil laughs, loves and lives.
I know, this all sounds quite ambiguous. So what is evil missing? The light of Christ. Salvation. This seemingly nice gentleman is now my responsibility. It is now my duty, as the warrior of Christ, to found away to crack his hardness of heart. It’s not my job to drop him as a client and walk away, instead, to win him to the Lord through my actions, and my words. Evil will continue to be my client. I will continue to show him my Christian love, and with much prayer and hope, the Holy Spirit may be able to work through me, to rid the world of one more agent of evil … not by destruction, but by conversion.
God bless you, I pray that you will be able to convert this person. I will pray for you!
What a wonderful answer. Non judgemental, the right way The Lord would wish you to behave. May your path bring faith to many.
It is indeed our duty to convert people from evil to the light of Jesus Christ. That may require us to eat with greater sinners then ourselves. However, we must not fool ourselves into being “friends” with evil. When one dances with the devil sooner or later he steps on your toes. I will pray for your success and for your protection. Good article.
“Evil” adopted my parrot when we needed to find a child-free home for him. (This bird, with a big strong beak, was vicious towards children and we had started a family.) This person worked for an abortion clinic and was passionate and outspoken about “choice.” I figured she could still be a good bird owner though. I asked her not to bring up abortion rights around me, though.
we love unconditionally and purely and self-sacrificially, even, when it hurts us. Then we forgive, console, teach, and repair. We lead lives of charity and justice. A true example of the reparative Love of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. In this, every man or woman that meets us will encounter Christ and be introduced to Him who lives in us. Live as example, through the obedience of God’s will, even onto death. There is no greater Love then to lay down a life for friend. Evil is hate and hate can’t love that is its weakness. We must pray for the redemption of the accuser for in darkness only despair may flourish.
Amen
Beautifully written! Prayers for your endeavor.
Evil (darkness) is the absence of God (Light). We should strive to be beacons that reflect God’s light on those lost in this darkness, so that they can find their way. Jeffrey is choosing to be a beacon for his client.
We are called to evangelize the world. Thank you for not walking away,and may God help you to melt his cold heart and win him into his love.
Our Pope has purposefully chosen the name of Francis after St. Francis of Assisi who was called by Christ to build His Church. For me, Evangelization is the tool by which it is to be accomplished.