10 Men of God can never be like men of the world. The world has
enough men who are tough; we need men who are tender. There are enough men who
are coarse; we need men who are kind. There are enough men who are rude; we
need men who are refined. We have enough men of fame and fortune; we need more
men of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough
vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity. (The
Joy of Womanhood: substituted the word men)
But one of the startling things about Christ is that He praises "the wicked" (woman
at the well, the weeping sinner,
the Pharisees).
He sees their goodness. Christ might agree with this first passage while
simultaneously endorsing the converse: not to criticize, but to complete.
Men of God must learn to be like men of the
world. The Church has enough of men who sit; we need men who stand. There are
enough men who are secluded; we need men who are connected. There are enough
men who are quiet; we need men who are open. We have enough men of distinction;
we need more men of unity. We have enough piety; we need more compassion. We
have enough criticism; we need more proposition. (The
Joy of Womanhood: deeply re-adapted)
