Genesis 3:15:
“And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your
seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise
your head,
And you shall
bruise His heel.”
In true Carmelite tradition but appropriately using a business method of communication, the purpose of this illustration is to reflect on WHY Genesis 3:15 relates to these times and to the whole of human history. (If it works why not use it, you decide?)
Consider the Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers - Matthew 21:33-44 for Gospel
context and further St Theresa Bendicta's petition to the Pope for action against the bruising of the heel of the righteous in Germany.
Letter of Saint Edith
Stein to Pope Pius XI in 1933
Holy
Father!
As
a child of the Jewish people who, by the grace of God, for the past eleven
years has also been a child of the Catholic Church, I dare to speak to the
Father of Christianity about that which oppresses millions of Germans. For
weeks we have seen deeds perpetrated in Germany which mock any sense of justice
and humanity, not to mention love of neighbor. For years the leaders of
National Socialism have been preaching hatred of the Jews. Now that they have
seized the power of government and armed their followers, among them proven
criminal elements, this seed of hatred has germinated. The government has only
recently admitted that excesses have occurred. To what extent, we cannot
tell, because public opinion is being gagged. However, judging by what I have learned
from personal relations, it is in no way a matter of singular exceptional
cases. Under pressure from reactions abroad, the government has turned to
"milder" methods. It has issued the watchword "no Jew shall have
even one hair on his head harmed." But through boycott measures--by
robbing people of their livelihood, civic honor and fatherland--it drives many
to desperation; within the last week, through private reports I was informed of
five cases of suicide as a consequence of these hostilities. I am convinced
that this is a general condition which will claim many more victims. One may
regret that these unhappy people do not have greater inner strength to bear
their misfortune. But the responsibility must fall, after all, on those who
brought them to this point and it also falls on those who keep silent in the
face of such happenings.
Everything
that happened and continues to happen on a daily basis originates with a
government that calls itself "Christian." For weeks not only Jews but
also thousands of faithful Catholics in Germany, and, I believe, all over the
world, have been waiting and hoping for the Church of Christ to raise its voice
to put a stop to this abuse of Christ’s name. Is not this idolization of race
and governmental power which is being pounded into the public consciousness by
the radio open heresy? Isn't the effort to destroy Jewish blood an abuse of the
holiest humanity of our Savior, of the most blessed Virgin and the apostles? Is
not all this diametrically opposed to the conduct of our Lord and Savior, who,
even on the cross, still prayed for his persecutors? And isn't this a black
mark on the record of this Holy Year which was intended to be a year of peace
and reconciliation?
We
all, who are faithful children of the Church and who see the conditions in
Germany with open eyes, fear the worst for the prestige of the Church, if the
silence continues any longer. We are convinced that this silence will not be
able in the long run to purchase peace with the present German government. For
the time being, the fight against Catholicism will be conducted quietly and
less brutally than against Jewry, but no less systematically. It won't take
long before no Catholic will be able to hold office in Germany unless he
dedicates himself unconditionally to the new course of action.
At
the feet of your Holiness, requesting your apostolic blessing,
(Signed)
Dr. Edith Stein, Instructor at the German Institute for Scientific Pedagogy,
Münster in Westphalia, Collegium Marianum.
The 'WHAT' we shouldn't forget!
St Theresa
Benedicta of the Holy Cross Pray for us,
Blessed Titus Brandsma Pray for us.
N.B.Explanation for what the Golden Circle means go to the following link:
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