Against The World
(The Precautions, paragraphs 5-9)

In the battle against the world, it is important for us to strive towards our goal of union with God with a great and unrelenting determination. The enticements of the world burden our hearts and draw us away from God. In our relationships with one another, our differences, weaknesses, and intolerances work against our effort to love our neighbour as we should. May we strive to follow the counsels of St. Paul: "Do not be conformed to this world… Love one another with mutual affection… Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation… If possible, on your part, live at peace with all" (Romans 12.2a, 18, 26)


In The World; Not Of The World

Love each person as Jesus would
Without the taint of judgement's stain:
Forget the bad; uplift the good -
In their affairs, outside remain.

Travel lightly with fewer things;
Be a good steward of God's gifts.
Detachment clears the heart and brings
A true freedom, with peace that lifts.

Strive for peace in your heart and mind,
Centered on God, with self-restraint.
Perceptions are, at best, just blind -
Shield others from your heart's complaint.

Yield not to scandal, nor to praise;
With gilded tongue, the world speaks.
In silence kept, the pure heart stays
At peace - God's good is all it seeks.

Freed from the world and its chains;
Centered in peace, the heart remains.

May the Lord free our hearts from the chains of human curiosity and meddling in the affairs of others, that we may free one another and preserve the peace of Christ within. Detached from the world and its goods, may we live for God alone.

"I have told you this so that you might have peace in Me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world." (John 16.33)