Is the spirit a-movin'?

Stupefied!  That was my reaction to the announcement made by Pope Benedict XVI concerning his decision to renounce his ministry as Bishop of Rome and spiritual leader of over one billion Catholics.  I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who was stunned by this sudden notice of impending resignation.  After all, it’s the Pope we’re talking about.  The last Supreme Pontiff to resign did so about six hundred years ago.

However, from the time of his election, Pope Benedict never appeared quite comfortable in the Chair of St. Peter.  Following on the heels of the very popular Pope John Paul II, the former Cardinal Ratzinger seemed to pale in comparison to his predecessor.   His decision now to step down further emphasizes the differences between these two men.  The duties and strains of the past eight years have certainly taken its toll on a man who was nearly 80 when he assumed the hefty responsibilities of the papacy.  Yet, unlike Pope John Paul II who so visibly showed the world what it was like to suffer through the debilitating effects of geriatrics, the current Pope has determined that, for the sake of the Church, it would be better to cope with his failing health in a much more private manner.  And why not?  Surely even a Pope deserves to have a little peace and quiet in his twilight years.  It also takes considerable courage to publicly acknowledge one’s limited capacity of mind and body and to relinquish the reins of power for the greater good. 

So, that brings the Catholic Church to the brink of a new opportunity.  Very shortly, a conclave will convene to select a new Pope from the ranks of the College of Cardinals and one can only hope that the spirit is indeed a-movin’ within this process.  Given the significant challenges facing the Church in modern times, it’s imperative that the 266^th Pope be a relatively young man (in comparison to other Cardinals), enthusiastic, energetic, and in touch with the issues and concerns of the people he is chosen to serve.   If the next Pontiff is going to revitalize the faithful, he must be open to positive change and be willing to drag the Church into the 21^st century, despite opposition from some conservative members within the Vatican.  It will not be an easy task, but this may be the last chance to reach out to millions of disconnected Catholics throughout the world, especially in North America.  “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.”

 

That's Inspirational!

Egalitarianism (n):  a belief in human equality esp. in social, political, and economic affairs

Heroism (n):  the qualities of a hero, (eg) bravery, courage…valor

Inspirational (adj):  (having) the act or power of moving the intellect or emotions, (eg) embolden, encourage, hearten

Merrian-Webster’s Dictionary and Thesaurus (2006)

Words such as these usually evoke images of soldiers, police officers or firefighters heroically risking their own lives to save someone else’s.  The connotation doesn’t naturally flow to include a small, soft-spoken 15 year old Pakistani girl named Malala.  Yet, with every fiber of her being, she personifies equality, heroism, and inspiration.  Despite having been nearly killed by a Taliban assassin who cowardly jumped aboard a school bus and put a bullet in her brain and another in her neck, she remains steadfast and determined to stand up to tyranny.  Prior to undergoing her most recent round of surgery, she quietly but purposefully stated in a news conference that she intends to continue with her campaign to assure the right of education for children all over the world.  During the conference, Malala said, “…I am getting better day by day.  It’s just because of the prayers of people.  Because all people – men, women and children – all of them have prayed for me.  And because of all these prayers, God has given me this new life, a second life.  And I want to serve.  I want to serve the people, I want every girl, every child, to be educated.”  That’s inspirational!

In December, a young medical student from India lost the struggle to survive after enduring inexplicable horror in a gang rape and brutal beating which took place on a bus in New Delhi.  Unbelievably, a similar incident took place in India just a few weeks later, but this time the victim survived the ordeal and was dumped like a sack of garbage in a local village once her attackers had finished with her.  The Human Rights Watch recently gave a failing grade to India’s government regarding what that organization described as the rampant sexual abuse of women and children, especially in schools and state-run facilities.  Spurred into action by these shocking atrocities, the people of India – women and girls, in particular – have decided that enough is enough.  They are fighting back and demanding that the authorities take definitive action in putting an end to such outrageous and unacceptable behaviour.  That’s inspirational!

Again in December, the world witnessed another vile act of depravity when six teachers – all of them women – did their best to shield their tiny students from a gunman’s assault rifle.  Those teachers and twenty little children died in a hail of bullets.  But, the nightmare of their last moments on earth has emboldened millions of people in the US to stand up to the powerful influence of the NRA and to press on with their battle to ban assault weapons.  That’s inspirational!

Within my own ever expanding family, there is a group of awesome young women who have wholeheartedly grasped the opportunity which post-secondary education offers, and some of them have even left home and family behind at a relatively young age to pursue their academic dreams in far-away centers of learning.  Others have chosen to follow a similar scholarly path closer to home while simultaneously holding down part-time or full-time jobs.  That’s inspirational!

Thank you, Malala, and all the other enthusiastic, determined, intelligent, young – and not so young – women of the world whose dream is to make a better life for themselves and everyone around them, regardless of sex, race, creed, or social standing.  May your simple message and strong witness to the tenets of respect and equality for all reverberate throughout the world, dismantling the shackles of oppression and intimidation link by link until basic human rights are afforded to every single person who inhabits this earth.  That’s inspirational!

Livin' in the Tropics

“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…..”  Oh, yeah, that was two months ago.  A very long, cold, snowy, cabin fever two months ago!

Last summer, when we could actually open the doors and step outside the house, my husband and his brother built a lovely new deck in our back yard.  Sitting out there with a tall glass of refreshing iced tea and a good book in my hand, I felt so relaxed and serenely content – revelling in my lovely tropical paradise.  Can’t say the same today.

Relaxation turned to frustration and serenity was frozen into submission following a relentless pounding from Old Man Winter.  For most of January, wind chill factors fluctuated between -40 to -60 celsius until the temperature warmed up to a balmy -7 a couple of days ago.  Before I had time to do my little happy dance over this unexpected gift of good fortune, the storm clouds blew in and dumped 50 centimeters of snow on us over a two day period.  Bah humbug!!!!!

As I struggled in vain to clear a doggie latrine in the back yard this morning, the wind screeched in my ears and every shovelful of snow blew back in my face in howling mockery.  I finally capitulated.  Dear Old Man Winter, you win.  I can no longer hold out against your persuasive seduction.  Tonight, your frostiness will embrace me once again in a mind-numbing -51 wind chill.

Well, I have another good book, so I think I’ll put on my sexy snow suit, grab a glass of iced tea and set up a folding chair on the six square inches of cleared patio to catch some vitamin D rays.  Hey, don’t knock my little fantasy.  Sanity may have fled, but at least serenity has returned.

 

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