I have been saddened a lot lately by the way many treat others, and by the words and actions that are shown to others in expressing opinions or in reacting to another's opinion.

It seems that productive, wholesome discussion has been replaced by the expression, “You support my way or you can take to the highway.”

We see this in politics (no matter what party you may support,) in encounters on the roadway (with road rage,) and in no longer being able to disagree agreeably.

I am not saying we should give in to the temptation to go with the flow and support many of today’s cultural norms that conflict with Jesus’ teachings. We need to embrace Jesus’ teachings and the teachings of the Catholic Church. We are called to evangelize and to have our way of doing things reflect Gospel values always. He leads, and we follow.

What I am saying is we need to see Jesus in disguise in each person we meet.

We especially need to reject vitriolic words and action. Vitriolic means full of violent hate and anger. This needs to be replaced with compassion and love.

St. Peter teaches us: “All of you, be of one mind; sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, humble. Do not return evil for evil, insult for insult, but on the contrary, a blessing.” I Peter 3: 8-10.

We need to pray for the conversion of those who do not reflect Gospel values in what they say and do. We also need to show that “they will know that we are Christians by our love, by our love”.

May God gives each of us this grace.

By: Deacon Tom Gryzbek