The inside scoop

This past week, I was on retreat with some of the diocesan priests, hence the delay in publishing this comentary.

Actually, I started reading through David Yallop's book entitled The Power and the Glory: Inside the Dark Heart of John Paul IIs Vatican. Although I'm still in the very early stages of this work, I can't help but wonder about some of the findings. Mr. Yallop, who previously published In God's Name: An Investigation into the Murder of Pope John Paul I, obviously puts little store by the validity of the 'official voice' of the Vatican. His thirst for detail and the behind-the-scenes story has admittedly gotten some informants in trouble. Regardless of whether or not the tale is true, it makes for good reading.

Although I am still in the early stages of his second work, the thesis of The Power and the Glory seems to be that Karol Wojtyla, was advanced from the office of parish priest to that of Supreme Pontiff due to a series of machinations on the part of the political forces of the day, and not so much based on any political prowess that might have been displayed on his part.

Admittedly, the inside scoop is always facinating, especially in cases like the Church, which throughout its history has been known to hold its share of secrets. Still, I'll reserve judgement for the moment about the proposed character analysis Mr. Yallop is developing.

Karol Wojtyla, then the Archbishop of Crakow (Poland) was elected Supreme Pontiff on October 16, 1978. Throughout his 26 year pontificate, he endeared himself to the world's youth, advanced the Church's profile through the use of modern-day media and forged new dialogue and relations with many including the Jewish community and civil leaders from all parts of the world. He was the most widely traveled pope in history, believing that it was his mission to bring the message of Christ to the people of the world by demonstrating to them that his pastoral concern had no limits.

Wisdom from little people

There are times when God calls or makes changes in our lives that we may find impossible to comprehend. The loss of a job or a relationship may create the kind of changes that for some, will urge them into new challenges, but for others, will leave them in a state of fear or depression making it impossible to move on.

In Spencer Johnson’s book Who Moved My Cheese? we find the tale of four characters, Sniff, Scurry, Hem and Haw who are faced with sudden change, the loss of their Cheese. Sniff and Scurry are mice with simple brains who leap into action immediately in search of a new Cheese, which they promptly find. Hem and Haw are Littlepeople, the size of mice, but looking like people, who have the benefit of more complex brains, filled with many beliefs and emotions. They chose to stay in the comfort and safety of their Cheese Station and wait for more Cheese to come.

As time passes, Hem and Haw recognize that perhaps no more Cheese will be coming, however, the fear of change grips them, prohibiting these Littlepeople from leaving the Cheese Station in search of new Cheese. Eventually Haw comes to recognize that "if you do not change, you will become extinct" but he could not convince Hem of this. Haw sets out to find new Cheese with out Hem. Many times he feels the pull of the familiar calling him to return. It is easier to return to what you know than to face the challenge of the unknown. To remind himself of the purpose of this journey Haw wrote on the wall "What would you do if you were not afraid?". Though weak and still weighed down by his fears Haw continued. When doubt and fear called Haw imagined himself with new Cheese. As Haw’s belief that he would find new Cheese grew, his strength and resolve to continue also grew. Haw changed his beliefs and his behaviours to challenge the fear of change and eventually he found the new Cheese and his friends Sniff and Scurry.

In our lives we know people like Sniff who can sense change coming and are quick to lead the way. People like Scurry are action oriented individuals who can make things happen quickly. There are many Haws in our lives who need to be forced into action. They take on change hesitantly, but will grow and learn to adapt. The Hems become extinct out their lack of action.

When God calls are you a Sniff, Scurry, Hem or Haw? Will you leave the comfort of what you know to follow? Will you answer God’s request and grow in His wisdom and in His love to find your new Cheese?

Summer reading

After a bit more than a month away from the routine of posting, it's high time to return to the business of sharing reflections. I've often noticed that silence between friends is not necessarily a sign of inactivity. Such is also the case here. I have been reading this past month and actually managed to complete three works which perhaps may be interesting to some of you.

In the latter days of July, I completed The Wisdom of Forgiveness: Intimate Converstaions and Journies, a book by the Dalai Lama and Mr. Victor Chan. Recounting the various encounters that Mr. Chan had with the Dalai Lama over a period of years, this work provides some very good food for thought.

Our world is too often in need of hearts which are open to forgiveness, but forgiveness is made all the more difficult because of the tendency to judge according to human precepts. The exiled leader of the Tibetan people provides some very enlightening reflections in very simple but profound language.

As July turned into August, I turned my attention to Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt. Ms. Anne Rice, the author of this book, is an accomplished author but this novel is considerably different from some of her previous work. The story is ficticious but it provides a plausible possibility for the hidden years of Jesus Christ, taking into account the culture of the day and the various challenges which were most probably key factors in shaping the thinking of the young child who Christians believe to be the Messiah.

Finally, I just had to delve into the most recently published book in the Harry Potter series. Like the six previous works, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows is a craftily woven tale which moves quickly and recounts the age old conflict of good and evil.

A number of years ago, when J.K. Rowling published the first book in the Harry Potter series, there was much ado about the advisability of promoting books about witchcraft and sorcery. However, the seven books which have sold magnanimously throughout the world are a very well-told tale of a young boy and his friends who face various obstacles throughout their years at school.

It might be worthwhile to look at this series from the point of view of the presence or absence of love as a reconciling force in the lives of people today. Too often, the absence of love leads to competition, envy and animosity. Would that more people recognized the true depth of the treasure that is offered when the gift of love is freely shared.