At yesterday’s Mass for university students at the Holy See, Pope Benedict XVI made an appearance after the liturgy. As is expected on these occasions, chairs were tossed aside and the throngs of people pushed alongside the aisle, hoping to touch the Holy Father, or at least get in range for a good photo.
Much to the disappointment of the crowd, the Pope gave an address to the students, but did not pass through the main part of St. Peter’s Basilica. It took a bit of time for people to realize that Benedict had left the building and they all slowly trailed out of St. Peter’s to continue their evening. Unfortunately, many did not bother to listen to the Holy Father’s words, because they were busy jostling for a position where he might pass by.
The Holy Father spoke about his encyclical released this past week on hope, and talked about its applications for students. He spoke simply, but profoundly, on the need for students to pursue their spiritual lives and their studies with a sense of hope. It was certainly an apt message for Advent as students prepare for Christmas, but also to take a break from classes before the New Year.
The irony that many missed the Pope’s words, because they were busy trying to come into closer contact with him, seems an appropriate metaphor for the pursuit of truth in an event or even in the news. We are so busy hoping to find something in particular and, when we miss that, we also miss the true significance of the event. For those who came to this Papal Event open to the Holy Father’s words as well as his presence, they walked away fulfilled. Others left, disconsolate, because they did not find what they were looking for.
Just one more reminder to approach things for what they are and listen with a ready and receptive mind…
venerdì 14 dicembre 2007
lunedì 3 dicembre 2007
A Victory for Common Sense
I have been following with interest the prominent story of a British school teacher who allowed her seven year old students in the Sudan to name their class teddy bear ¨Mohammed.¨ While certainly not the most respectful of names for an inanimate object, Westerners would certainly call her prison sentence unreasonable at the very least. In fact Prime Minister Gordon Brown called her release from prison, ¨a victory for common sense.¨
Many Muslims, however, not only feel that she should not have been let off, but think that she should have been executed. Sudanese spokespersons already regret the incident because of the bad PR that is sure to hurt Sudan´s already tenuous position with the British over the situation in Darfur. It seems to me, however, that they are catering to their desire to foster relations with the West, not necessarily the sentiments or beliefs of the Islamic people.
I´m curious whether there is a common definition for this ´common sense´that the British Prime Minister believes has prevailed in these circumstances. The current Wikipedia definition (certainly only to be considered in a non-academic way) defines common sense as ¨that which they "sense" in common as their common natural understanding.¨ This definition does not necessarily account for there to being one truth entailed in common sense which all must adhere to. It is clear to me that what people in England believe to be ´commonly sensible´is not necessarily the same in the Sudan. Therefore, this victory of common sense, is a victory for the common perspective of the English people, not all people. I say this only to clarify.
The different persepectives on common sense which exist hit on deeper waters than a teddy bear. With the Islam-Christian conflict that is wracking our world it seems that there must be a common ground. If we can blatantly assume that common sense is the same in all areas of the world, it does not seem as if there can be reconciliation---only more misunderstandings. Perhaps a good start to resolving conflict would be defining things correctly?
Many Muslims, however, not only feel that she should not have been let off, but think that she should have been executed. Sudanese spokespersons already regret the incident because of the bad PR that is sure to hurt Sudan´s already tenuous position with the British over the situation in Darfur. It seems to me, however, that they are catering to their desire to foster relations with the West, not necessarily the sentiments or beliefs of the Islamic people.
I´m curious whether there is a common definition for this ´common sense´that the British Prime Minister believes has prevailed in these circumstances. The current Wikipedia definition (certainly only to be considered in a non-academic way) defines common sense as ¨that which they "sense" in common as their common natural understanding.¨ This definition does not necessarily account for there to being one truth entailed in common sense which all must adhere to. It is clear to me that what people in England believe to be ´commonly sensible´is not necessarily the same in the Sudan. Therefore, this victory of common sense, is a victory for the common perspective of the English people, not all people. I say this only to clarify.
The different persepectives on common sense which exist hit on deeper waters than a teddy bear. With the Islam-Christian conflict that is wracking our world it seems that there must be a common ground. If we can blatantly assume that common sense is the same in all areas of the world, it does not seem as if there can be reconciliation---only more misunderstandings. Perhaps a good start to resolving conflict would be defining things correctly?
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