We live in eventful times. Amid natural disasters of earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, floods; and man-induced waves of fighting and terrorism that swamp the world, it would seem that the end of the world doomsayers have been proclaiming for years is truly here.
And yet, in the space of a week, we have also witnessed a salute to love and hope in the matrimonial union of Prince William and his bride Catherine last Friday, and in the beatification ceremony of Pope John Paul II yesterday.
The W2W Ministry spent the weekend celebrating the life of Blessed JPII whose writings we are currently studying by watching Karol: A Man Who Became Pope.
JPII who lived through WW2 and the subsequent Soviet occupation of Poland witnessed first-hand the worst of atrocities that humanity can commit against itself and yet was able to grasp, retain and promulgate the truth of human existence: that we are created to love and to be loved.
Firstly, in living and loving relationship with God, and secondly, in harmonious relationships with others.
He did not believe in fighting terror and violence with anger and hatred, righteous and justified as it may be, but rather through non-violent ways.
With the report of Osama bin Laden's death in the news this morning, it would be interesting to see if this "eye for an eye" solution to terror will bring resolution of sorts or will there continue to be a perpetuation of violence as others take up Osama bin Laden's cause and place.
The taking of life can never be justified, a fundamental universal principle that governs human life. Just as justice is another universal principle, but one that has to be tempered with mercy.
We must seek a justice that Blessed John Paul II endeavoured to promote, one that is found in the Beatitudes, one that is patient, gentle, forgiving, understanding, finds its strength in peace-loving, and goes beyond the current legalistic interpretation.
Some may say this is foolish thinking but has the current popular modus operandi of killing despots and terrorists brought more peace in the world, or merely more collateral damage to innocent lives and a vendetta-like dynamic played out in the long-standing Middle East conflict?
There is much wrong in the world, much to be angry about and much to fear and much we need to change and yet, the agents of change cannot be fear, or hatred which is the child of fear.
I do not pretend to have answers to the rampant problem of terrorism and how to deal with it but I do know that we can all make a stand with our lives, by refusing to give in to fear and to persevere in seeking the good of all humanity.
In my last module on virtues, Father David said that living life to the fullest is a balance between preserving life and becoming a moral paralytic, and because fear is the most powerful emotion that escapes even the conscious control of the will, we must seek to integrate our fears by cultivating the virtue of fortitude or courage.
As Burmese political detainee of 15 years Aung San Suu Kyi said, "For me real freedom is freedom from fear and unless you can live free from fear, you cannot live a dignified life".
She exemplifies a quiet firmness of spirit and strength of character that serves as my inspiration as she seeks to right wrongs by taking a stand that eschews violence.
In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Caesar says this in response to his wife's prescient foreboding of his death:
Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Such great fear, as the fear of death, can only be overcome if we die to self (our fears, needs and desires) and live in Christ.
I believe that Blessed John Paul II displayed this magnanimity, this greatness of soul by displaying a singleness of mind to be the compleat servant of God: all his actions dictated by the will of God which he was well acquainted with because of his rich prayer life.
His was a holiness found in the solitude of prayer sought diligently and constantly. A living, breathing and loving relationship with his maker.
And he was the definitive priest - a man for others, in his ceaseless brokering of peace in the world, his great love of people, especially youth, and his tireless efforts to initiate dialogue with other religious leaders by displaying great humility and sensitivity.
Mired as I am in my own petty fears, I am glad that I have a great role model like Blessed JPII to rise above mediocrity and to seek to live up to my potential on a daily basis without giving in to fear or demoralizing hopelessness.
And perhaps in my own small and unique way make the world a better place.
NB: The word magnanimous comes from Latin roots and means greatness of mind and heart. It is a virtue that allows the possessor to engage in noble acts and great enterprise without fear and to display a generosity that leaves no room for pettiness.
And yet, in the space of a week, we have also witnessed a salute to love and hope in the matrimonial union of Prince William and his bride Catherine last Friday, and in the beatification ceremony of Pope John Paul II yesterday.
The W2W Ministry spent the weekend celebrating the life of Blessed JPII whose writings we are currently studying by watching Karol: A Man Who Became Pope.
JPII who lived through WW2 and the subsequent Soviet occupation of Poland witnessed first-hand the worst of atrocities that humanity can commit against itself and yet was able to grasp, retain and promulgate the truth of human existence: that we are created to love and to be loved.
Firstly, in living and loving relationship with God, and secondly, in harmonious relationships with others.
He did not believe in fighting terror and violence with anger and hatred, righteous and justified as it may be, but rather through non-violent ways.
With the report of Osama bin Laden's death in the news this morning, it would be interesting to see if this "eye for an eye" solution to terror will bring resolution of sorts or will there continue to be a perpetuation of violence as others take up Osama bin Laden's cause and place.
The taking of life can never be justified, a fundamental universal principle that governs human life. Just as justice is another universal principle, but one that has to be tempered with mercy.
We must seek a justice that Blessed John Paul II endeavoured to promote, one that is found in the Beatitudes, one that is patient, gentle, forgiving, understanding, finds its strength in peace-loving, and goes beyond the current legalistic interpretation.
Some may say this is foolish thinking but has the current popular modus operandi of killing despots and terrorists brought more peace in the world, or merely more collateral damage to innocent lives and a vendetta-like dynamic played out in the long-standing Middle East conflict?
There is much wrong in the world, much to be angry about and much to fear and much we need to change and yet, the agents of change cannot be fear, or hatred which is the child of fear.
I do not pretend to have answers to the rampant problem of terrorism and how to deal with it but I do know that we can all make a stand with our lives, by refusing to give in to fear and to persevere in seeking the good of all humanity.
In my last module on virtues, Father David said that living life to the fullest is a balance between preserving life and becoming a moral paralytic, and because fear is the most powerful emotion that escapes even the conscious control of the will, we must seek to integrate our fears by cultivating the virtue of fortitude or courage.
As Burmese political detainee of 15 years Aung San Suu Kyi said, "For me real freedom is freedom from fear and unless you can live free from fear, you cannot live a dignified life".
She exemplifies a quiet firmness of spirit and strength of character that serves as my inspiration as she seeks to right wrongs by taking a stand that eschews violence.
In Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Caesar says this in response to his wife's prescient foreboding of his death:
Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Such great fear, as the fear of death, can only be overcome if we die to self (our fears, needs and desires) and live in Christ.
I believe that Blessed John Paul II displayed this magnanimity, this greatness of soul by displaying a singleness of mind to be the compleat servant of God: all his actions dictated by the will of God which he was well acquainted with because of his rich prayer life.
His was a holiness found in the solitude of prayer sought diligently and constantly. A living, breathing and loving relationship with his maker.
And he was the definitive priest - a man for others, in his ceaseless brokering of peace in the world, his great love of people, especially youth, and his tireless efforts to initiate dialogue with other religious leaders by displaying great humility and sensitivity.
Mired as I am in my own petty fears, I am glad that I have a great role model like Blessed JPII to rise above mediocrity and to seek to live up to my potential on a daily basis without giving in to fear or demoralizing hopelessness.
And perhaps in my own small and unique way make the world a better place.
NB: The word magnanimous comes from Latin roots and means greatness of mind and heart. It is a virtue that allows the possessor to engage in noble acts and great enterprise without fear and to display a generosity that leaves no room for pettiness.
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