Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Parish in Mesa recently shared a message from their pastor that was composed of the ancient writings explaining the role that Christians must play.

"Christians are indistinguishable from other men either by nationality, language or customs," Fr. Thomas Bennett quoted the ancient text in the Nov. 15 parish bulletin. "They do not inhabit separate cities of their own, or speak a strange dialect, or follow some outlandish way of life." 

The teaching that they have is not from human doctrine, and they are called to live with flexibility, depending on what is required of them in terms of expectations.

"With regard to dress, food and manner of life in general, they follow the customs of whatever city they happen to be living in, whether it is Greek or foreign," the writing said. "And yet there is something extraordinary about their lives. They live in their own countries as though they were only passing through. They play their full role as citizens but labor under all the disabilities of aliens."

They remain moral in their decisions and consistent in respect of human life, the writing noted.

"Obedient to the laws, they yet live on a level that transcends the law," the writing said. "Christians love all men, but all men persecute them. Condemned because they are not understood, they are put to death, but raised to life again. They live in poverty, but enrich many; they are totally destitute, but possess an abundance of everything."

Perhaps the most remarkable feature of Christians, however, is their indiscriminate love of all— those who hate them and those who do not. 

"The soul, though immortal, has a mortal dwelling place; and Christians also live for a time amidst perishable things, while awaiting the freedom from change and decay that will be theirs in heaven," the text said. "As the soul benefits from the deprivation of food and drink, so Christians flourish under persecution."