Son of Sputnik Moments
Several years ago, Franciscan theologian, Richard Rohr, held a lecture series entitled, “Love Your Enemy”. He covered many salient points that have more relevance now than ever in our world. In this Sputnik Moment in which Catholics throughout the world find ourselves as we approach Ash Wednesday, our Sunday Gospels, excerpts from the Sermon on the Mount, become for us an honest examination of conscience. Jesus calls us all to an honest self-critique, viz., not how I see myself, rather, how does God’s see me? Our Sunday readings from now until Ash Wednesday represent Sputnik Moments for us. Where am I really at as a Catholic human person?
The triple questions of a honest self-critique should be the following: 1) What do I want people to say about me? Or How do I want to come across? 2) What do people say about me? Or How do I come across to others? 3) What should be people say about me? Or Who am I really?
The purposes of the Rohr series were two-fold. First, it helped participants to understand the deep patterns in the individual and collective psyche that fuels the violence and hatred about which Jesus cautions us today’s Gospel reading. Second, it was to view Jesus and His Gospel message not only as a mop-up for the mess we have made of original sin (aka original junk or baggage or trash) that we pass on in our lives, but rather as preventive medicine for the toxic world in which we live.
According to the Book of Genesis which the Catholic world is hearing at daily Mass throughout the world this week, violence becomes foundational to cultural patterns. At the end of the archetypal story of Cain and Abel, rival cities are founded by the sons of Cain. The presumption is that one gathers with one’s own peers in social settings. As a result, jealousy and rivalries develop between peers and between cities. Greed and violence easily develop in such settings. We need to be vigilant in curtailing violence. To a certain degree, we can all be Cain and/or Abel.
The archetypal example for the Jesus Movement is Jesus Himself at His death and Resurrection. After all the grief and abandonment that Jesus experienced in the cowardice of the 12, the betrayal by Judas, the triple denial by St Peter, as well as kangaroo trials by both Church and State authorities, as well as the mockery of Jesus at His crucifixion, St Luke tells us that Jesus prayed on the cross, “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.” All four evangelists tell us that Jesus did not “get even” or “settle the score” with those who tortured Him. Rather, He forgave them. We recall that Jesus teaches us to, at least try, to forgive with God’s Help, whenever we say the Lord’s Prayer. Finally, we know deep down that Jesus would not ask us to imitate Him, if not possible. Jesus turns the tables upside down. After Easter, Jesus does not seek any new victims. He does not transmit violence, rather He transforms it. He asks us to do the same. Even though we live in a world that is inured to violence, He asks us to give it a try, with His Help, at least in situations in which I am confronted with the choice between a violent response or a win-win response. In Christ Jesus, it becomes violence transmitted to violence transformed.
The world lives today with the specter of violence, both institutional and terrorist. One way that Catholics can live the teachings of Jesus with regard to nursing anger and grudges is practice what we call “disarmament of the heart.” Such a disarmament is an ongoing process. We can teach our children the art of asking God for help to try disarmament of the “terrorism of the tongue.” Violent parents can practice disarmament of the “terrorism of the fist”. We can practice disarmament of the “terrorism of bias”, where we pre-judge others by what they are (or not).
The least that any of us can do to practice is the idea of a transforming initative. This means trying to recognize that we should head anger off at the pass, with God’s Help. It means trying, with God’s Help, to curb the reptilian brain response of fight-flight that is deep within us and our culture. The prayer becomes “Maybe, next time, I might act out my angry and violent impulses. But, Jesus, give the strength to let go of my urge to violence this time.” At least, try to take Jesus seriously enough in this real situation that I will try not to make a cutting remark to someone or to make a gesture to a driver in another vehicle or to make a blanket statement about “all those people”.
We want our children and grandchildren to grow up in a less angry world. We can make one small effort in our little world by telling our children and grandchildren not to fly off the handle so fast, by teaching them why doing so is a no-win situation, by showing them by trying to do it ourselves, and by inspiring them when we do so, with God’s Help.
Father Rohr also said that it was amazing that throughout 2000 years, most Christians, with the exceptions of the Quakers and the Amish and the Mennonites, have given a deaf ear to much of what Jesus has been saying the last two weeks about anger management, revenge and love of others. That is only for professional Catholics, not Ordinary Joes like me.
“Jesus, lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth, from despair to hope, from fear to trust, from darkness to light, from hatred to love, from war to peace. Jesus, give peace to our hearts, our people, our planet, our universe.”
“Just this one time, help me to try to break the cycle of violence in my own life. Make me an instrument of Your peace today and not tomorrow, through Christ our Lord. Amen.” 022011AD jfq
