Religion and Politics. They are everywhere.
Why, just today… I worked at the Eatonic Music Festival. I was volunteering for the Rotary Club, albeit I am not a member of Rotary. Anyway… some really great bands played throughout the day. At one point, one of the band’s songs instructed me to Pray for the Fish. Over and over again, it told me to pray for the fish.
Who am I to argue such an appeal as that? As such…. It has seemed like the thing to do. And, I’ve been praying for the fish all day. I’ll let you know if I hear anything… although I am not sure exactly which fish I am praying for.
But back to it. Seems like everybody these days is talking religion or politics. Just turn on the TV for 5 minutes. (And I do.)
Yes, every news cast, talk show, and entertainment program, has something to say about those two topics. I alway try to make a point NOT to discuss such things here. It happens now and again. I know.
Heck, even my story about keeping the ants out of my garden was construed by some has having political undertones. Apparently, someone else is planning on building a wall somewhere. This must have been the cause for confusion on the part of some of my readers.
But I try very hard not to talk religion or politics. Period.
So. When I mention Pope Francis in my next sentence, I can assure you it has nothing to do with religion.
As most of you know, Europe is now experiencing some difficulties with an insurgence of migrants from non-EU countries. The conflicts raging in Syria and Afghanistan, and the influence of ISIS in Iraq, appear to be the major drivers of the migration.
Do you know what Pope Frank suggested today? He thought it would be a good idea for every Catholic Parish in Europe to take in one migrant family. That is a big bunch of people.
Some people would look at that, and say… “Now THAT is the Christian thing to do.” And you could say any number of things about this Papal Suggestion… It is an act of…. Kindness. Compassion. Acceptance. And Sheer Brilliance. Either way, it just seems like a good and loving thing to do. He asked people to help them, to welcome them….. Not to keep those suffering people from finding refuge, food, protection, shelter. Not building a wall to keep them out.
So no. I won’t talk religion of politics tonight. I shall simply relay my observations of the world happenings… which in this case… make me believe in the goodness of humankind.
And of course, I will continue praying for the fish. Just for the halibut, I guess.
“Anyone who thinks sitting in church can make you a Christian must also think that sitting in a garage can make you a car.”
― Garrison Keillor
If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.
— Mother Teresa
We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.
— Mother Teresa