MONDAY, November 16 (Margaret of Scotland)

We will do things for others that we will not do for ourselves. Defending them is an example.
In the film Back to the Future, the character George McFly is a high school nerd. Bullies find him an easy target for their pranks and abuse. He never stands up for himself. But when Biff, the biggest bully of them all, starts to physically harass Lorraine, George takes a stand--for her. To his own amazement, he lands a punch that knocks Biff out cold. That one act transforms the movie and everyone involved.

Violence is not an answer to life's problems. But every once in a while it seems awfully appropriate to give a bully what he deserves.

Biblical precedence exists. David beans Goliath with a rock between the eyes, on behalf of his brothers and Israel, not for himself. Judas Maccabee reminds his brothers they must fight to protect their wives and children. Jesus intercedes for the woman about to be stoned to save her--and goes to the cross to save us.

Love takes many forms. Sometimes it requires a courageous stand.

PRAY for the Diocese of Waiapu (New Zealand)

Ps 89:1-18 * 89:19-52; Revelation 20:7-15; Matthew 17:1-13