Monday 4 February 2008

This piece by Merton is a bit un-nerving.



...it is not unusual in all political life, whether totalitarian or democratic, to incriminate the political novice in order to test his mettle and make sure of his commitment. He must be willing to get his hands dirty, and if he is not willing he must be framed so that he will have a record that can, when necessary, be used against him. Then he will be a committed man. He will henceforth cooperate with acts which might have given him pause if he were not himself marked with guilt. Who is he to complain of certain shady actions, certain discreet deals, certain white lies, when he knows what is in his own file at headquarters?



To what is such a person "committed"? I would think it would be quite difficult to not fold under such pressure even if s/he was framed. Once stories circulate, there is no stopping them. Therefore, the only way to keep someone loyal, it seems in this piece, is to have something on them that would make them think once or twice about doing or saying anything outside the stated policy or position.

Keeping silent kills - others and even one's self. I find it odd that even within a system like the church where forgiveness is so central to who we are and who we are called to be, there can be such fear about what was, and that this fear can wipe out any boldness that is needed to reshape the community of faith. One incident of mismanagement or miscalculation or misstepping and without a sense of the real power of forgiveness, a person can become weak and then a part of the system that builds itself up within the realm of shadows and control.



Connection: We need not be so afraid to step forward that we do not step at all. Sometimes, it would be good for each of us to help one another act boldly. This takes a sense of true solidarity. This is also something that not many are willing to enter.



Even when we fall short, O God, you lift us up so that we can start again within the power of your gracious Reign. It is necessary that your Spirit continue to remind us of the power of such grace. Amen.