“If divine providence
ever allows us to be subjected to, and tested
by, slander or
persecution, we are to be extra careful to avoid any
retaliation,
verbal abuse, or complaint against the persecutors or
slanderers. We
should even praise and bless God, and joyfully thank
him for it as
an opportunity for great good, coming down from the
Father of
lights. We should even pray sincerely to him for those who
harm us
and, if the opportunity and possibility present themselves,
should
willingly help them, remembering that Christ commanded
us, and all
the faithful to do this: 'Love your enemies, do good to
those who
hate you, and pray for persecutors and slanderers'. And
to get us to
do this more willingly and more easily he said that we
would be
blessed in doing so and that we should be joyful and glad
about it
since our reward is great in heaven. And, more importantly,
he was
gracious enough to be the first to act in this way towards
others so
as to be a model for us. Afterwards the apostles, disciples,
and
numberless Christians followed his example'.” (CR II, 13)
