Some questions I think worth reflecting on every day:
Am I okay with the society in which I live? If so, why is it okay? If not, why is it not okay? What can be better? How can I make it better? What have I done to make it better?
It's much easier to sit back and criticize politicians, or the media, or opposing political parties than it is to do something about what you believe in. It's easier to put the blame on someone else, than to look inward and crticize yourself. It's much easier to attempt to justify your actions than it is to admit fault.
It happens quite frequently when engaging in debates with opponents that we turn to ad hominem attacks rather than a dialogue of reason and faith. It is much easier to get defensive than it is to see another's point of view from their perspective. I am as guilty as anyone.
So if the world isn't as it should be, then why sit back and blame politicians? Why attack and demonize others? Why not instead of saying "you're an idiot," say 'I understand your point of view, here is mine...?" Bickering, arguing, imposing your beliefs on another, none of these effectively accomplish anything except division and alienation. No man can convert another convicted in his beliefs by being louder than him, or attacking his intelligence and no amount of policy will ever eradicate all that is wrong in a society.
Appealing to human hearts is our only option. We must love our enemies to win them over.
Gospel of Luke 6:27-36
[27] "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. [29] If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. [30] Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. [31] Do to others as you would have them do to you.
So instead of arguing, blaming, name-calling, etc., why not do something about the things you think are wrong in our society. The corporal and spiritual works of mercy are a great start.
A Ph.D. student's perspective on Catholic Social Teaching and economics.
I have a new friend who talks about social justice all the time. But I realize after knowing him for just a few months that he only loves justice in theory. He's the type of person, like Mark Twain, who loves humanity and hates people.
ReplyDeleteAd hominem attacks in our political sphere indicate, to me, just that: that the words politicians eloquently shout on truth, justice, freedom, change, and other abstract jargon that they don't truly understand... it's hearsay. Sure, they love humanity. It's people they hate.
It is the people we see, work with, rub shoulders with, snub...they are the people to whom we must show love. And as we do so, we are able to go further into humanity, penetrating further into mystery of personhood, loving those whom we cannot see because we have loved those whom we can see....loving our far-off enemies because we've loved the enemies close to us.