Only those who keep always in view, man’s destiny, confident of God’s care, only those who pray daily for an increase of faith and hope and charity, can endure. St. Stephen prayed for his murderers, Lay not this sin to their charge. And it was to be expected that Jesus Christ would say, he who came to give his life, to lay it down for his brothers – Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. All through the lives of the saints, there is this “laying down of life,” not the taking of it, this forgiveness, with no thought of revenge, this overwhelming love that overcomes fear, this loving to folly. . .This is the mystery of the Christian life, the mystery of love. Even if we don’t understand it, we can try to understand it, we can pray to grow in love.
– Dorothy Day
