Many of us have a certain number of people whom we say we "detest." These people annoy us on a number of levels and may even be responsible for some horrible sins.
We may be tempted every time we hear their name, or see their face, to hope and pray for their demise.
Then one day something happens that brings them down, tarnishing their legacy or humiliating them in front of everyone.
Is it good to rejoice when we see that happen?
What is the Christian response to the sudden fall of our enemies?
Let charity rule the day
St. Francis de Sales encourages us in his Introduction to the Devout Life to resist any temptation to rejoice, and to let charity rule our thoughts and actions:
[P]rovided always even then that a spirit of charity and compassion prevail, and that you do not speak of them with arrogance or presumption, or as though you took pleasure in the fall of others. To do this is the sure sign of a mean ungenerous mind.
While we may be glad to hear of someone's downfall, we should not wish that they would stay in such a situation.
In fact, we should pray for our enemies and do good to those who hurt us.
We should try to be compassionate towards them, hoping and praying that they will turn to God with their whole heart.
St. Francis de Sales reminds us that we stand straight only through the grace of God:
When you hear evil of any one, cast any doubt you fairly can upon the accusation; or if that is impossible, make any available excuse for the culprit; and where even that may not be, be yet pitiful and compassionate, and remind those with whom you are speaking that such as stand upright do so solely through God’s Grace.
Its possible that we will fall one day and that our name will be dragged in the mud.
When that happens, how do we want others to treat us?
Charity should always rule in our thoughts and actions, as we should want everyone to be united with us for all eternity in God's loving arms.
