St. Edith Stein was a Jewish girl who studied philosophy and became converted to the Catholic religion after reading works of St. Teresa. She entered the Carmelite Order, and became a martyr for the Catholic faith. She too is declared co-patroness of Europe, by Pope John Paul II.
Of her many writings she made this significant statement which obviously gives us an important glimpse of the truth. "Do not accept anything as the truth if it lacks love. And do not accept anything as love which lacks truth" (St. Edith Stein). True indeed, so many theories and doctrines put forward in our world that only brought chaos, death and wars, only prove her right, because God is both the God of truth and love. "If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to its function.
So the body grows until it has built itself up in love" (Eph. 4:15). Jesus, God Almighty, had mentioned the two aspects: "Love one another as I have loved you" (Jn. 13:34) and "the truth shall set you free" (Jn. 8:32).
The systems, the teachings, the reformers that were not based on love, where have they all gone? Look around and see for yourself. Only the love and truth of Jesus Christ and His saints fly high and mighty. "Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away" (Mt. 24:35).
Lest we forget the meaning of love, it's far from the pride, vanity, and powerful ambitions of the world because its Pauline definition is: "Love is humble, patient and forgiving" (1 Cor. 13:7). It will be good to listen to the voice of the Church. Christ left her to us as "the pillar and bulwark of truth" (1 Tim. 3:15). It will be unwise not to listen to her voice.
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