Wednesday 6 February 2008

Thomas Merton continues with reflections of Hitler as he continues to deal with Gandhi's world of non-violence.



Hitler's world was built on the central dogma of the irreversibility of evil. Just as there could be no quarter for the Jews, so the acts that eliminated them were equally irreversible and there could really be no excuse for the Nazis themselves. Even the arguments of an Eichmann, pleading obedience, suggest deep faith in an irreversible order which could not be changed but only obeyed. Such was the finality of Hitler's acts and orders that all the trials fo all the Nazis who have been caught, whether they have been executed or liberated or put in prison for short terms, have changed absolutely nothing. It is clear that Hitler was in one thing a brilliant success: everything he did bears the stamp of complete and paranoid finality.



Too often, "brilliant success" is built on a vital lie. What is terrifying is that the lie cannot be let go. It must be maintained. If it cracks, the whole of what was created falls with it. That can be too great of a burden for anyone. And yet, the truth must be told and we must be willing to face the consequences and, in that, be open to a storyline that is new and life-giving and honest. I have known people in leadership who maintain their position of leadership behind a veil of lies. That might be too strong. Others may say selective dishonesty or even protective dishonesty. However we say it, it is not easy for the one who lives within this lie to keep the lie in tact. There are too many people who are able to tell the emperor that he is naked. When this happens, it is sad to see that some keep living as though the truth they heard is really not a all a part of their world. Unfortunately, if the naked ruler claims not to be naked, too many people actually believe the ruler rather than the truth.



Connection: Don't be afraid to say it like you see it...naked is naked.



Be for us, O God, the eyes of truthfulness so that we can see how the lies of our lives prevent us from living fully within your gracious Reign. Then when we are able to see where truth rules, help us to draw near to others who see the truth and are willing to let it shine. Amen.