Saturday, July 25, 2009

Trust

LD always overtakes me with new posts.

I was still meditating on an answer to give to his question about what it is that makes us capable of trusting each other, that it came his comment about POTUS' remarks about what to expect from the war in Afghanistan.

I meant to say that the one he asked was the classical million dollar question.

Better, it is a question of no quantifiable prize, because it rests in the very infinity of God.

In this question politics and theology intermingle, because faith in God and trust in men cannot be severed.

Benedict showed us where, in the third chapter on gift of his Caritas in veritate.

I trust a men if I perceive him concerned not just for himself, as wanting something from me, but also concerned for the good of being in relation with me.

This is gift: I don't speak just of giving things, but attentions, little gestures of regard, all that shows the capability of caring.

We call it good manners: which is not just good education, but a consistent way of being. Not all the rules of etiquette might be observed, actually one might even be a little uncouth, but still there are little signs by which, if we know how to look, we can discern gentleness.

It depends on the overall story that is represented.

So it goes in all things, when we have to assess a fact read on the newspaper, or the speeches and the acts of the President of the United States (by the way, always known through some media, the press or TV).

There are all kind of nuances, different ways of looking at things and to bear witness of them, always presented to us as to a kind of jury: our capability of judging depends on the magnitude of the gifts we have received.

There squabbles and wars, and there is no way to end them except by victory: that is really such only if it isn't our victory, but victory of the good, the common good of being able to trust each other and live in peace.

That's the way one encourages his men at war.

2 comments:

Brian said...

Very good reflection. As a Missionary of Charity co-worker for almost ten years, my outlook on others has changed. I have met so many fine people who give of themselves. When I meet a person, it is not so important to me as to what they do for a living, or what they own - I really want to know what they do for their brother and sister in need. Of course, this could lead to a "dislike" for many people - so one must be careful. And one must certainly look in the mirror often.

God bless!

rgds
Brian

Humbly Presumptuous said...

Dear Brian,
thanks for your appreciation.
I enjoyed finding in Pope Benedict's encyclical a confirmation of what I found by studying cultural anthropology: that gift giving is a constant in human affairs that Christian charity brings to its perfection.
Did you see my previous posts on this regard?

God bless you too.
HP