Jealousy and misunderstandings of false brethren

Beloved daughters and sons, in this also we can see that the Work is from God, because, like those first Christians, it has fallen to us to suffer the same fate, through misunderstanding and jealousy of false brethren. It has even reached the point of treating us as heretics. They lie, out of envy, and unfortunately forget that only when they decide to tell the truth will they be fruitful in Christ: veritas liberabit vos (John 8:32), the truth will make you free.

It is true that it has been our lot to suffer, and there is no sign as yet that they are going to let us work in peace. But don’t forget to make it clear to those who say to you, as if in sympathy, ‘How many enemies you have!’ Yes, and how many friends! For this is the reality, and every day there will be more and more who understand us and love us.

God’s designs are providential

Now, for love of his Work, the Lord has cast us as protagonists in the parable of the vine and the branches. He is allowing this difficulty, ut fructum plus afferat (John 15:2), so that we may bear even more fruit. In the eyes of men this is perhaps incomprehensible – one could say, I don’t understand it..., and the lord corrector doesn’t understand it either. But in God’s designs, those people who rack their brains over it are providential: they’re looking for a three-legged cat when, to understand the Work, it is enough to be a Catholic with an upright intention, and to know a minimum amount of pastoral work, theology and law.