Evil into Good

Israel loved Joseph more than all his other sons, for he was the son of his old age, and he had a coat with long sleeves made for him. But his brothers, seeing how his father loved him more than all his other sons, came to hate him...    Gen.37:3-4

Israel's favouritism for Joseph incites jealousy in his brothers who grow to hate him.

The stage is set for evil to be executed but God turns that evil into good. Joseph's slavery in Egypt eventually leads to the salvation of all God's people in time of famine.

Unspeakable evil has been executed in New Zealand just one week ago now. We are still in shock and asking how this could have happened. That's a good question and it needs to be asked. But today is a day of mourning.

The black cloud over our nation is starting to grow a silver lining. Grief, compassion and love for our Muslim community is growing. People are demonstrating more unity than I have ever seen before. What was intended to divide is having the opposite effect. Evil is being turned into good.

A high price has been paid for this good. Fifty innocent lives. The good must be enshrined, galvanised into the new fabric that is being weaved into the character of who we are as New Zealanders. Today I will go to Mass and pray then stand outside our local Mosque while the are at prayer. They are us. We are them.

Lord Jesus, heal our nation. We are in pain from the assault of evil. Be our strength, our unity, our peace, our love.
Saint Peter Chanel, pray for us.