Tuesday, May 30, 2006
pondering
Thoughtful and wonderful writer Random Jottings made reference to Pope Benedict's visit to Poland and quoted the pontiff's enthusiastic comments to the young people in his audience. The quote and subsequent discussion about what the Pope might have meant - and what such soothing lofty words might mean in general - interest me so I thought I would mention it here.
The Pope said that in every young person's heart "there is a great longing for a proper house, a stable house, one to which he can not only return with joy, but where every guest who arrives can be joyfully welcomed. There is a yearning for a house where the daily bread is love, pardon and understanding. It is a place where the truth is the source out of which flows peace of heart. There is a longing for a house you can be proud of, where you need not be ashamed and where you never fear its loss." I suppose I agree with this, but it's not a huge stretch to be able to identify that many young (and old) people want such solace and comfort. The difficulty for me begins with the following comments: "These longings are simply the desire for a full, happy and successful life. Do not be afraid of this desire! Do not run away from this desire! Do not be discouraged at the sight of crumbling houses, frustrated desires and faded longings. God the Creator, who inspires in young hearts an immense yearning for happiness, will not abandon you in the difficult construction of the house called life...."
I've probably been exposed to too many pious and judgemental Catholics and others, so I apologize but I can't help feeling this is part of the "stiff upper lip" and "God only gives you the suffering you can tolerate". I really do wish I believed in an active, good and loving God who cared and watched over each person.
The Pope said that in every young person's heart "there is a great longing for a proper house, a stable house, one to which he can not only return with joy, but where every guest who arrives can be joyfully welcomed. There is a yearning for a house where the daily bread is love, pardon and understanding. It is a place where the truth is the source out of which flows peace of heart. There is a longing for a house you can be proud of, where you need not be ashamed and where you never fear its loss." I suppose I agree with this, but it's not a huge stretch to be able to identify that many young (and old) people want such solace and comfort. The difficulty for me begins with the following comments: "These longings are simply the desire for a full, happy and successful life. Do not be afraid of this desire! Do not run away from this desire! Do not be discouraged at the sight of crumbling houses, frustrated desires and faded longings. God the Creator, who inspires in young hearts an immense yearning for happiness, will not abandon you in the difficult construction of the house called life...."
I've probably been exposed to too many pious and judgemental Catholics and others, so I apologize but I can't help feeling this is part of the "stiff upper lip" and "God only gives you the suffering you can tolerate". I really do wish I believed in an active, good and loving God who cared and watched over each person.
Labels: blogs (others'), modern culture
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