I spoke to him on the phone for the first time in years, and I was surprised by how his demeanor had softened. Much of the competitive edge had smoothed down, and I saw a genuineness in his desire to see Life and Light.

While there is some zeal I hope might be tempered by time and experience, I found a new hope in and for him. I believe that our conversation surprised the both of us as we had much common middle ground. We both echoed the words of Saint Jude in regards to reaching others:

“But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, ‘In the last times there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.’ It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”
-Jude 17-23

We are on two sides of the same lines, he and I, working inward. It is a hopeful thing; and it is my prayer that the Lord of Mercy shall continue to soften his heart -as well as my own- to conform him in to the likeness of our Lord.