The grace of God sends us the words we need to hear sometimes, and such was the case with me when I stumbled across this sentence in Fr. Philippe’s The Eight Doors of the Kingdom: Meditations on the Beatitudes.
Meekness is also the opposite of bitterness, remaining peaceful and confident, rather than being consumed by rancor when faced with injustice or painful situations. (Emphasis mine.)
Consumed by rancor. Fr. Philippe reduced me to three words. These struck me like a stone from David’s sling, right between the eyes, at a time when I needed it badly. Fr. Philippe continues:
[Meekness] is the flexibility of the person who embraces things as they are, not reacting against the reality of things and events.
Much of my own rancor was an internal argument with reality, wishing that events had not taken place, straining against the facts as if my will could somehow change them. In just a few words, Fr. Philippe brought me back to earth, reminding me that I needed to redouble my struggles to live the Beatitudes every day.
This moment sprang to mind following the public tragedies of recent weeks, and their attendant rancor. Sadly, I know a thing or two about what it’s like to endure this pain firsthand, and to encounter that rancor from within and without.
It is extremely easy to be swept up in the visceral emotion of a violent tragedy, and even easier for those on the outside to react quickly and thoughtlessly online, associating perpetrators and victims with “sides” in a political imbroglio, or even just responding to hatred with more hatred. It requires hard work to respond to acts of evil by living Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes, but that is what Christians are called to do.
Sunday’s memorial for Charlie Kirk delivered a tremendous example to the world of what it means to live the Beatitudes, in the remarks of Charlie’s widow, Erika. She said:
On the cross, our Savior said: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
That man—that young man—I forgive him. I forgive him because it’s what Christ did. And it’s what Charlie would do.
The answer to hate is not hate. The answer—we know from the gospel—is love. Always love. Love for our enemies. Love for those who persecute us.
This is what it means to live the Beatitudes. In her words, there is mourning, meekness, mercy, purity of heart, and peacemaking. Erika Kirk provided the world with a profound example of Christian witness, thrust into the limelight so soon after her husband’s murder, and responding with such grace.
If you squint, you can even find a small measure of hope buried within these words from the President:
“[Kirk] was a missionary with a noble spirit and a great, great purpose. He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them. That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for them. I’m sorry. I am sorry, Erika. But now Erika can talk to me and the whole group and maybe they can convince me that that’s not right.”
In President Trump, we have a 79-year-old man for whom self-indulgence is “on brand,” a man whose baser instincts are often on display. He chose to use this platform to state that he hates his opponents, which is itself a tragedy. And yet, he still communicates a degree of openness to the truth of the Gospel. The example of Charlie and Erika Kirk may have moved him to consider that retribution and hatred of his enemies might not be the best path to take. Behold the power of forgiveness!
Erika Kirk’s loving response to violent hatred can be extended in every direction, as a way to avoid an argument with the past, focusing instead on the good we can do today and beyond. To wit:
Love those who mourn. Be present to the suffering. Be of service to those who need comfort, either in person or through prayer. I will forever be grateful to my family’s “first responders” – those who hurried to our side when we were hurting the most. The gift of their presence was one I cannot hope to repay in full, one which I will cherish always, and seek to emulate when given the opportunity.
Love the families of the perpetrators. We are quick to associate ourselves with the successes and achievements of our family members; others are equally quick to associate us with our relatives’ failings. We humans want explanations—we desire the assignment of blame for a tragedy, yet the truth is rarely so neatly accommodating. No parent wishes his or her child to commit evil; we can be assured of the anguish felt in the households of murderers.
Those families need our prayers, too, just as much as the victims’ families. No one has a monopoly on pain, so a kind word might help alleviate their distress. Kindness and prayer are always welcome in the eyes of the Lord.
Love the perpetrators themselves. What is gained for God by further hatred? If we can desire the salvation of the wayward soul who takes a life, we are one step closer to seeing the world as God sees it:
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men…This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim 2:1-4)
Pray for the killers to recognize what they’ve done, to seek forgiveness, to find their way to Jesus, in whom there is always hope, even as they face the justice they deserve for their crimes.
I can report from the other side of tragedy that hearts can heal, even from something so violent and devastating. The rancor of the world will come calling; don’t answer it. Each of us can be “part of the solution” by loving and forgiving as Erika Kirk did, completely, radically, vulnerably. There is nothing that love can’t accomplish.
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Thank you for your witness and this article. Praying for all involved. God’s peace.
Amen.
When it comes to following Jesus, Erika Kirk and her slain husband Charlie Kirk are “the real thing.”
And God bless Mr. Echaniz, for his witness amidst his own suffering.
Blessed be Jesus, their King, and our King.
Let us serve Him, in obedience to His commands, given in The Sermon on the Mount.
I heard more of the kerygma proclaimed at an evangelical memorial service with 100,000 in attendance and more than 1,000,000 online viewers than I’ve heard at Catholic Masses I’ve attended in my 77 years. And the Cardinal archbishop of Chicago wants to give a lifetime achievement award to a pro-abort Catholic politician. Starting to get the picture?
Yes. I smell a distinct lupine odor on some Shepherds.
Agree
I too am a lifelong Catholic. I believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church. I am dismayed by the leadership of the church. Why the church would embrace a man like Durbin or why the Pope ( previous) would see Biden is disheartening. The church needs to rediscover its soul. We would do well to learn from our evangelical cousins.
I think we can learn from each other, Brian. Our separated Christian brethren may lack some of the Sacraments, books of the Bible, & the full teachings of Christ but what they do have they can sometimes practice better than we do.
Yes, this is very sad. Nondenominational church are the best because heaven will definitely be nondenominational!
Yes , we can learn a lot from our “separated brethren “
Amen. I sure have learned a lot from them Br. Jacques.
The author’s dislike (“hate”?) for DT is evident (“In President Trump, we have a 79-year-old man for whom self-indulgence is “on brand,” a man whose baser instincts are often on display.”).
This judgment, however, overlooks DT’s verifiable acts of kindness, among them his acts of helping Christians, and his actual change of mind re Hillary Clinton to avoid hurting her further. A few examples among many:
a) “Among the many executive orders signed by President Donald Trump in the first weeks of his new administration is one that frees up federal funding in support of school choice. This is great news for many parents and a much-needed pushback against public schools’ virtual monopoly over our nation’s education system.” https://ewtn.co.uk/article-why-president-trumps-executive-order-on-school-choice-is-great-news/
b) Upon Cardinal Dolan’s call for help, DT raised millions that saved the NY Catholic schools
“Fundraising for Catholic Schools
Overview of Trump’s Efforts
Former President Donald Trump has actively supported Catholic schools, particularly during his presidency. He raised significant funds for Catholic education, especially in New York, to help address financial challenges faced by these institutions.
Key Fundraising Events
• Catholic Fundraiser: Trump participated in a fundraiser for the Archdiocese of New York, where he made a direct appeal for the Catholic vote and emphasized the importance of supporting Catholic schools.
• Support During the Pandemic: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump expressed his commitment to providing federal financial support for Catholic schools, which were experiencing severe financial stress due to decreased enrollment and tuition payments.
Impact of Fundraising
• Financial Aid: The funds raised have been crucial in stabilizing Catholic schools, allowing them to continue serving students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds.
• Educational Justice: Catholic leaders have highlighted that supporting these schools is not just a religious issue but also a matter of educational justice, as they provide quality education at a lower cost compared to public schools.
Trump’s fundraising efforts have played a significant role in sustaining Catholic education in New York and beyond, ensuring that these schools can continue to operate and serve their communities effectively.”
c) One example of DT mercy is that eventually he changed his mind about “locking her up” and he has said repeatedly that Hillary Clinton had been through enough and he was not going to prosecute her:
“President-elect Donald Trump indicated he would not pursue charges against Hillary Clinton, with a source close to his transition team stating that Trump felt Clinton had “been through enough” and would not go after her officially over her email scandal. Trump also expressed that he didn’t want to hurt the Clintons, calling them “good people,” and said he was not looking to revisit the issue. While he had previously vowed during the 2016 campaign to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Clinton’s use of a private email server, his senior adviser Kellyanne Conway confirmed in November 2016 that Trump “doesn’t wish to pursue charges” against her.” See
https://nypost.com/2016/11/23/why-trump-isnt-pursuing-charges-against-hillary-clinton/
d) Many consider DT crackdown on illegal immigration not “compassionate,” during his first term, he actually allowed the illegals covered by Obama’s DACA to remain in the country despite the justifiable efforts by many conservatives to deport all those who had violated the laws of this country by entering illegally or by being brought in illegally. Cf. what the Vatican does with those entering ITS premises illegally:
Vatican Promises Stiff Penalties for Illegal Aliens Crossing its Border
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2025/01/16/vatican-promises-stiff-penalties-for-illegal-aliens-crossing-its-border/
Oscar, thanks for the Truth-telling. TDS is epidemic even among some faithful Catholics. The CDC ought to commission a study of those deranged with TDS…perhaps their mothers ingested Tylenol while pregnant with them.
TDS? there is a DTS syndrome, even among some Catholics , which will never be under control because the CDC will not allow a vaccine! 🫢
I’ve known the author of this article for about 35 years. The notion that he hates Trump–or hates anyone, for that matter–is patently absurd.
Oscar is probably right on Echaniz’ perception of Trump as hater. Having listened to several long self acclaiming diatribes, braggart he is, Trump also has a dry sense of humor. He relishes using his popular image as a foil to demonstrate his self effacing honesty. If we were to measure vindictiveness, his absolute persecution by the Dems during the previous administration far exceeds any of his justice department probes of former enemies. He deserves credit for a form of meekness despite his flamboyance.
“Much of my own rancor was an internal argument with reality, wishing that events had not taken place, straining against the facts as if my will could somehow change them. In just a few words, Fr. Philippe brought me back to earth, reminding me that I needed to redouble my struggles to live the Beatitudes every day” (Echaniz). Echaniz struck the crux of meekness like lightning, his words reverberating within me, my struggle with the past rummaging, seeking undoable solutions trying to remake history. Meekness is so well addressed in his essay as a coadjutor, so to speak, for forgiveness.
Erika Kirk’s remorse over her anger raising it to God in a heroic act of equally painful forgiveness taught the world that Christ lives. He rose from the dead.
Fr. Morello, brilliantly said. Thanks
Dear Father. At a time when all should pray for the Christian dedication of Charlie Kirk, we must include our prayers for his beautiful young family.
President Trump is an anomaly. His rhetoric has consumed him so that his mental decline becomes obvious. He continues to insist that he won the 2024 election when many recounts proved that is a lie. You say, ” If we were to measure vindictiveness, his absolute persecution by the Dems during the previous administration far exceeds any of his justice department probes of former enemies.” Dear sir. You must have been out of town when he blatantly tried to destroy his “enemies” using outright falsehoods. Probably his most damming and hateful utterance was that seriously ill former President Biden is “a walking corpse and a lunatic.”
Just this week, in his explicit off-the-rails rants in his UN speech, Trump again displayed his inherent hatred. He may have damaged our relationship with attending world leaders when he blasted them saying, “Your countries are going to hell.” Trump may be sealing the fate of Republicans with losses in the midterm election.
Gedspeed.
Well Mr. Morgan I hope I’m in a similar mental state when I’m Pres. Trump’s age. Anyone who could literally take a bullet like that & come up swinging has incredible resiliency & courage. Whether or not you support Donald Trump politically you do have to give him credit for his spirit. I used to have a dog like that.
🙂
“Probably his most damming and hateful utterance was that seriously ill former President Biden is “a walking corpse and a lunatic.”
More childish TDS rants from MorganD. You literally cannot help yourself. If you’re actually defending Joe Biden, you have no credibility to speak to the issues of the day. Biden is a moral imbecile.
“In President Trump, we have a 79-year-old man for whom self-indulgence is “on brand,” a man whose baser instincts are often on display. He chose to use this platform to state that he hates his opponents, which is itself a tragedy.”
And using Charlie Kirk’s death to take potshots at the president is childish, inappropriate, and hypocritical. You might want to review and apply the beatitudes to your own life, hypocrite.
Trump did, in fact, do what the author said he did. The author’s description is both fair and balanced.
I’m not sure, however, how calling a reasonable person a “hypocrite” aligns well with the Beatitudes.
Thomas, I wholeheartedly agree with you. It’s oh so easy to take swipes at other’s behavior and words. Maybe the author should try walking just one day in Trump’s shoes. While I might not suggest that the author is a hypocrite, it’s just because I know little about how he lives his own life.
I never liked president trump. His conceited nature and narcissistic diatribes annoyed me. However, we all hope to improve ourselves and president trump has done that. He gave up a wonderful life to enter the public arena. He has been shot sued arrested and for what? These attempts were to make him leave politics. When I meet a trump hater of which there are many I ask them a simple question. “ I know you don’t like him but what has he done that you disagree with?” I can’t recall any that actually had an answer. Please acknowledge that people can change and president trump has. Please pray for him , his judgment and his safety
The comment just seemed cheap and gratuitous and not necessary, even as a point of comparison.
Christ’s resurrection from the dead was the supreme act of forgiveness. Without which we would be denied the grace to forgive. And remain dead in our sins.
I’m trying not to despise trump, but I do have difficulty. I pray the rosary daily asking for God to soften his heart so he stops harming all the immigrants. I’ll keep on praying. Amen
Yes Colleen, it is difficult to love a narcissist with an overbearing personality. With Trump, it’s a morally broken person suddenly in a position to do good. Not perfectly, nevertheless far more good than our previous president who did so much damage regarding Nation and the faith, policies that were an injustice to God as well as Man.
You do have a valid complaint regarding immigrants, that there should be some form of both compassion and practicality, such as leaving those families that are working and providing for our welfare, especially those who labor in the agriculture fields. We need these laborers.
Offer your pain to Christ for Trump and those who need conversion leaving it in his hands and you’ll have peace.
Also Colleen, Christ chooses who he wills. As he did with King David, who virtually raped Bathsheba, wife of Uriah, then had Uriah murdered. Nonetheless, David repented and wrote the Psalms.
We can say Trump has been chosen by God as unlikely as it may seem. Furthermore, this unlikely person is coming closer to recognizing God in Christ, in those who give their lives for Him, as Trump has in eulogizing Charlie Kirk, his wife Erika.
Colleen, please get it straight: They are NOT immigrants. My family (and probably yours) came here as immigrants. These people are invaders. They crossed our borders illegally. Their first act here was to commit a crime.
We have an illegal immigrant in the family tree a couple generations back. I expect quite a few other folks do too. People did what they had to do in order to survive. I don’t know how many of those genealogy shows end up finding a celebrity’s ancestor who jumped ship.
But the best way to bring immigrants here is safely & legally. Best for us & best for the nations they come from. Otherwise we’re just encouraging & enabling criminal gangs & increased violence.
Harming the immigrants? He didn’t entice them to walk across a continent like a creeper in a “wants some candy van”; to be subject to rape, torture, trafficking, extortion, humiliation, etc etc. He did teach them before and upon arrivalto violate our laws; that’s the wrong civics lesson to give perspective new citizens. The church supported those efforts instead of being and setting the example set by JPII and Mother Teresa and other Saints and MARTYRS gave us – FIX THE PROBLEM / ADDRESS the cause at its point of origin. Don’t blame the country experiencing the insurgency for seeking to preserve its sovereignty so we HAVE a country that can welcome new citizens properly. We’re about to loose the country, taking a road to perdition that will create the hell they left, in the place they sought refuge. DJT didn’t do that! He is trying to plug the holes and repair the tires though so we can proceed safely and properly.
Marco Respinti is right to underline that Erika Kirk’s words amount to a genuine political programme, one that begins not with abstractions but with the salvation of real human beings through the rejection of evil and the embrace of truth. Her act of forgiveness places her in continuity with one of the most luminous but often forgotten traditions of Christianity: that of the desert mothers.
St Syncletica of Alexandria, “a pearl ignored by many” according to the Acta Sanctorum, taught her disciples that earthly life is “a second womb,” a place of struggle where we learn to prepare for eternal life by good works. But, as she insisted with lapidary clarity, “every good work is configured as an escape from evil.” Good, she says, draws lovers to itself with no need for artifice, whereas evil must be resisted with much labour and divine doctrine.
John Chrysostom praised these women of the desert for their philosophia and courage, often surpassing men in the struggle “against the devil and the powers of darkness.” Erika Kirk’s forgiveness of her husband’s murderer stands within this same lineage of strength—not the worldly force of shields and swords, but the greater and rarer vigour of moral resistance.
Against the backdrop of a political leader who could not forgive, Erika’s words shine all the more brightly. They are irreversible, as Respinti observes, because they testify that the true governance of the polis begins where individuals take existence seriously: by turning away from evil and embracing the good. In this, Erika has revived the voice of a desert mother for our own time.
Thank you for spotlighting the need, the call, to live the beatitudes, especially in a digital culture where humanity is turned into digital platforms that rob us of our humanity. Your courage to speak to this issue in this climate on topics that have required great grace from the weight of your cross is nothing short of inspirational. It is the same well of Grace Erika Kirk will be drawing from daily, along with all Christian who aspire to take up their cross and follow where He leads. I often consider who my own Simon is. And even though it’s my cross to carry, aid comes in different forms. Your willingness to enter the greater conversation to highlight the Christian vocation has made you one of many Simon’s in this world.
God bless you and your family+
To say that a description is both fair and balanced doesn’t mean that it wasn’t gratuitously critical. That said, the author’s comments were irrelevant to the purported topic of the article.
I think some readers here are over-interpreting the author’s comments on Trump. As I read them, he is suggesting that Trump may be open to learning from Erika Kirk’s impressive Christian response.
Cleo, maybe we all ought to begin with ourselves and not always start discussions about repentance with “the other guy.”
This love thy enemy advice can only go so far if one takes self preservation among the living seriously. It makes no sense from a functioning, enduring society point of view. The “so far” part comes when the enemy takes the life of a loved one. Loving someone who has done that sure sounds like “here, kill me next” which strikes me as suicidal.
Forgiveness shouldn’t conflict with self defense. From what I’ve read, Charlie Kirk supported the 2nd Amendment.
We shouldn’t punish someone with malice of heart but only to apply justice.
It is impossible, I believe, to love someone who intentionally and hatefully killed your spouse and your children’s father. You can pray that he comes to the truth, but he would have to come quickly before we give him the death penalty as prescribed by the Bible.
Our Amish & Anabaptist brothers & sisters would disagree.
I recommend Thomas V. Mirus in Catholic Culture, Sept. 23 – Three Lessons from Erika Kirk.
I wonder if, when we send an army to engage our enemy in mortal combat, we instruct our beforehand soldiers to “love the enemy” as we blow off their heads. Was that what we told our soldiers in WW I & II?
I’m trying not to despise trump, but I do have difficulty. I pray the rosary daily asking for God to soften his heart so he stops harming all the immigrants. I’ll keep on praying. Amen