Thursday 24 January 2008

Merton continues to look at the involvement of the seekers of truth in the midst of a violent society.

The first principle of valid political action in such a society then becomes non-cooperation with its disorder, its injustices, and more particularly with its deep commitment to untruth. Satyagraha (holding on to truth) is meaningless if it is not based on the awareness of profound inner contradiction in all societies based on force... Hence satyagraha according to Gandhi cannot seriously accept claims advanced by a basically violent society that hopes to preserve order and peace by the threat of maximum destruction and total hate.

And yet, isn't this what we so often see...we make war in order to bring about peace. And yet, peace never comes in this way - it cannot. We cannot beat up someone and claim that we have brought about peace. We may have brought about silence - like a spouse that is beaten into submission and dares not speak unless another beating is used to "bring peace" again. It is so unfortunate that our anxious hearts lead us so quickly into the abyss of violence and fear mongering. This happens so quickly - like a reflex - that the suggestion of dialogue and negotiations and listening to others becomes known among us as a sheer absurdity. One of the reasons I watch political debates early in the debate season is that we are able to hear the people who raise up ideas that are quickly discounted...and yet they tickle us with a truthfulness that we only let be in our dreams. An example is every time Dennis Kuncinich talks about a Department of Peace - to train people in negotiation and conflict resolution - you can see the eye rolling. At times though, a candidate or two seems to really be listening...but will never go there. Our violent society has little toleration for such risk taking. We would rather fight and say we are right than to listen and entertain the possible that is a part of a promise.

Connection: Sometimes it is good to not have such quick reflexes. We need to remember to take that breath...maybe two...and see if we are able to reflect on possibilities rather than fall back on our quick responses to everything.

Lord of the Peaceable Reign that is always beside us, move us and encourage us to step across the line into that domain you have called the promised land. It is not easy. We are often afraid. And yet, in our hearts, we long for such a life and love and place of rest. Amen.