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sible. Wrath is countered by benevolence, openness the weak, it would mean that the person was not hu-
of heart, meekness and patience. man, much less a Christian.
But, on the subject of wrath, there is one last Holy indignation exists, which is not wrath but
thing to be said. It is a terrible vice, it was said, that an inner movement, a holy indignation. Jesus knew
is at the origin of wars and violence. The Proem of it several times in His life (cf. Mk 3.5): He never re-
the Iliad describes the wrath of Achilles, which will be sponded to evil with evil, but in His soul, He felt this
the cause of “infinite woes”. But not everything that sentiment, and in the case of the merchants in the
stems from wrath is mistaken. The ancients under- Temple, He performed a strong and prophetic action,
stood well that there exists an irascible part of us that dictated not by wrath, but by zeal for the house of the
cannot and must not be denied. The passions are to Lord (cf. Mt 21:12-13). We must distinguish well: zeal,
some extent unconscious: they happen, they are life holy indignation, is one thing; wrath, which is bad, is
experiences. We are not responsible for the onset of another.
wrath, but always for its development. And at times, It is up to us, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to
it is good for anger to be vented in the right way. find the right measure for the passions. To educate
If a person were never to anger, if a person did not them well so that they turn to good and not to evil. v
become indignant at an injustice, if he did not feel
something quivering in his gut at the oppression of Pope Francis

Never give up shelter the homeless, visit
prisoners and the sick, etc.
MICHAEL’s fight for economic Both Louis Even and
justice for all is a long-term battle, full Abbé Pierre’s commitment
of obstacles. Even as we are tackling to justice are inspiring ex-
immense forces, we must never be- amples that a single per-
come discouraged nor give up. As St. son has a great capacity
Pope John Paul II wrote in his 1987 to have a positive impact
encyclical, Sollicitudo rei socialis (n. in the world. While Abbé
30),: “Anyone wishing to renounce Pierre was nobly tackling
the difficult yet noble task of improv- Abbé Pierre the consequences of pov-
ing the lot of man in his totality, and erty, such as homelessness caused by a lack of money, Louis
of all people, with the excuse that the Even identified the root of the problem: a financial system that
struggle is difficult and that constant creates money in the form of debt by privately-owned banks.
effort is required, or simply because of In turn, he presented the solution in the monetary system
the experience of defeat and the need known as Economic Democracy.
to begin again, that person would be
betraying the Will of God the Creator.” St. Pope Paul VI wrote in his 1967 encyclical, Populorum
Abbé Pierre (1912-2007), from Progressio (n. 75): “More than anyone else, the individual
who is animated by true charity labors skillfully to discover
France, was known for his commit- the causes of misery, to find the means to combat it, and over-
ment to justice. Born Henri Grouès, come it resolutely.”
he was a Catholic priest who in 1949
founded the Emmaus Movement, a For those who are tempted to be discouraged by the fight
charity dedicated to helping the home- against injustice, here are some words of encouragement
less and people in difficulty. For more from Abbé Pierre:
than 10 years, Abbé Pierre topped I will continue to believe, even if everyone else loses hope.
the list of the French people’s most I will continue to love, even if others spread hatred.
beloved personalities. Most memor- I will continue to build, even if others destroy.
able is a resounding appeal he made I will continue to speak of peace, even in the midst of war.
on the radio in February, 1954 to help I will continue to illuminate, even in the midst of darkness.
the homeless during that harsh winter I will continue to sow, even if others trample on the harvest.
when men and women were dying And I’ll keep shouting, even if others are silent.
due to a lack of shelter. And I will draw smiles on tearful faces.
We often say that there are many And I’ll bring relief when the pain is seen.
ways to help our needy brothers and And I will bring joy where there is only sadness.
sisters. The Church exhorts us to feed I will invite to walk those who have decided to stop,
the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, And I will stretch out my arms to those who feel exhausted.v

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