Our Answer to Hate
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
http://www.usccb.org/nab/021206.shtml
Reflection:
Those who go to Mass this weekend are likely to hear a homily focused on the reading from Leviticus and the Gospel from Mark (They are linked). It is for that reason that this reflection will be on the reading from 1st Corinthians. It is short, sweet, and, I believe, speaks to our current salutation in the world at large.
If you've been following the world news this week, you know that the riots in predominantly Islamic countries have been growing. The reason for these riots, and in some cases deaths, is the publication of 12 political cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed in Denmark back in September of 2005. When the first outbursts of protest took place a while later, other European news media began reprinting the cartoons as a mark of solidarity. They were making a statement about the "Freedom of the Press".
This further outraged the Muslim world and the riots intensified, property started to be destroyed (namely the Danish and Norwegian Embassies in Lebanon and lives were lost (in Afghanistan). It is arguable that radical Islamic leaders are stoking the fires for political gain and all they needed was a reason. It is also reasonable for the western world to look at this as a challenge to the free press and an attempt by Muslims to have the world live by their laws (I have said this myself a couple posts ago).
Now comes St. Paul writing to Corinthians those many centuries ago. It could be a letter to the editor today. His words ring in our ears. When these protests first started, our first thought was who do they think they are telling us what to do in our own countries? There has been a lot of talk about the Muslims applying a double standard - It's OK to desecrate the Bible - to ban Christian Missionaries, to insult the Jewish world but the west better not say anything to offend us. And St. Paul says; "Avoid giving offense, whether to the Jews or Greeks or the church of God,"
If we are to follow the words of St. Paul then all we do should be for the "glory of God." How can we respond to the hate and violence in the Muslim world in kind (that is with hate and violence) and do so for the glory of God. The really disturbing thing is there will be some who will try to do just that. How will they be any better than the 16 year old boy from Turkey who shot and killed Father Andrea Santoro as he prayed in his church? The boy killed Fr Santoro while shouting "God is great." What will a loving God think of that?
As Christians we cannot let things go down that road. We need to listen to that calm voice of wisdom that is St. Paul as he says to us; "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." Pax
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
http://www.usccb.org/nab/021206.shtml
Reflection:
Those who go to Mass this weekend are likely to hear a homily focused on the reading from Leviticus and the Gospel from Mark (They are linked). It is for that reason that this reflection will be on the reading from 1st Corinthians. It is short, sweet, and, I believe, speaks to our current salutation in the world at large.
If you've been following the world news this week, you know that the riots in predominantly Islamic countries have been growing. The reason for these riots, and in some cases deaths, is the publication of 12 political cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed in Denmark back in September of 2005. When the first outbursts of protest took place a while later, other European news media began reprinting the cartoons as a mark of solidarity. They were making a statement about the "Freedom of the Press".
This further outraged the Muslim world and the riots intensified, property started to be destroyed (namely the Danish and Norwegian Embassies in Lebanon and lives were lost (in Afghanistan). It is arguable that radical Islamic leaders are stoking the fires for political gain and all they needed was a reason. It is also reasonable for the western world to look at this as a challenge to the free press and an attempt by Muslims to have the world live by their laws (I have said this myself a couple posts ago).
Now comes St. Paul writing to Corinthians those many centuries ago. It could be a letter to the editor today. His words ring in our ears. When these protests first started, our first thought was who do they think they are telling us what to do in our own countries? There has been a lot of talk about the Muslims applying a double standard - It's OK to desecrate the Bible - to ban Christian Missionaries, to insult the Jewish world but the west better not say anything to offend us. And St. Paul says; "Avoid giving offense, whether to the Jews or Greeks or the church of God,"
If we are to follow the words of St. Paul then all we do should be for the "glory of God." How can we respond to the hate and violence in the Muslim world in kind (that is with hate and violence) and do so for the glory of God. The really disturbing thing is there will be some who will try to do just that. How will they be any better than the 16 year old boy from Turkey who shot and killed Father Andrea Santoro as he prayed in his church? The boy killed Fr Santoro while shouting "God is great." What will a loving God think of that?
As Christians we cannot let things go down that road. We need to listen to that calm voice of wisdom that is St. Paul as he says to us; "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." Pax
posted by Deacon Jim | 5:08 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home