In light of all the many events that have gone on nationally and personally, it’s hard to believe that only 4 days has passed since I last posted.
For those who may be unaware, the reports out of Washington DC and Pennsylvania regarding the abuse of minors by Catholic clergy during the last 60 years has been a punch to the gut for sure.
Not because I am surprised by the depravity of human beings, but rather because to be confronted by the reality of evil in the world is always discouraging–if we only focus upon the evil.
One of my passions are great stories, and one of my all time favorites is The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Although great books rarely translate well on to the movie screen, the Peter Jackson directed Lord of the Rings trilogy movies were an exception, and one of the best scenes in the trilogy encompassed the following dialogue between two characters as they were discussing the dire situation they, and the world, were currently in.
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,’ said Frodo. ‘So do I,’ said Gandalf, ‘and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.’”
—Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring film
In this scene, Gandalf stresses to Frodo that it is how we respond to a situation that will ultimately determine how well we use the time given to us.
And this is the essence of what each of us must choose to do in these times that we are living.
I pray that each of you decides to always know what it true, choose the good, and to see the beautiful in the world around you in these times that we have been given.
And never forget that regardless of how dark, ugly and absolutely evil things may look like now, our Lord has already won. So take courage and hold fast.
Sunday is a ‘comin.
