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One of my friends is a Civil War "buff." His idea of a summer vacation is visiting the battle sights of that war. He has hundred of books about the Civil War and can recite from memory every battle, every general, and how many troops from the North and the South died in each battle.
I cannot remember too much from my high school U.S. history class about the Civil War, except for the most famous battles and generals. I do remember studying a little about the Abolitionists: the movement to abolish slavery in the U.S. They believed in a non-violent end to slavery. But, when the war broke out in 1861, most abolitionists believed that violence was the only way to end slavery. They had to choose between ending slavery and remaining non-violent. Most made ending slavery their higher priority. This non-violent group decided to endorse violence.
Of course, the abolitionist movement was much more complex than my brief description here. I do find it interesting that non-violent thinking and acting is a part of our history as U.S. citizens. In order to improve society by ending slavery, they had to raise this issue of social injustice. Had the abolitionists been better organized and not seen as people on the fringe of society, maybe they could have championed a non-violent end to slavery without a bloody war.
The idea of being a non-violent society goes back to the Quakers who came to this country from England. An important part of our American history is the idea that society can be improved when people join together as a unified group to work actively and non-violently for social change. This was a uniquely American idea that caught fire and spread around the world. Ghandi championed an American ideal!
Thank God we still have citizens in our country who keep the idea of non-violent change before us. They are the true
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Americans who believe what has always been uniquely American: we can improve our lives and the lives of others without violence. The lead stories on the TV news and on the front pages of our major newspapers are always about war, violence, murders, etc. Presidents, senators, and governors get the front pages because they shape public policy and the world we live in. Citizens who believe in peace and non-violence get little attention. I'm sure all of us can name great presidents and generals. How many non-violent peacemakers can we name from the U.S.?
Most Americans who were non-violent leaders were people of deep religious and moral faith. Their beliefs opened the door to non-violent thinking. Who were the great leaders of the anti-nuclear movement, the environmental movement, the anti-war movement of the Viet Nam era, the civil rights movement, the union movement, and the rights of workers? For the most part, they were people of faith: priests, ministers, rabbis, nuns, church workers, etc. They were preachers and teachers, not politicians and journalists. They were not the powerful of our country but ordinary folks like you and me. They changed our country and the world by being people of non-violence.
In a world gone crazy with wars, violence, and terrorism, how can we be peaceful, non-violent followers of Jesus and citizens of our great American tradition of improving society without violence? How can we work together for national and global security by the idea of non-violence? Can we leave this world better for our children and grandchildren? How best to deal with the unique problems of our times?
Peace… the message of Jesus.
A simple idea for complex times?
Father Bill
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GREAT GIFT IDEAS! Our new parish history book ($15) and Wild Honey & the Locusts CD ($15) are available at the Welcome Desk. Cash or checks only, payable to St. John the Baptist Church.
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NO. #1 CAUSE OF DEATH for innocent children in the USA?
Abortion: 1.3 million acts of premeditated murder annually!
"Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights… is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition of all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination."
Pope John Paul II: The Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful
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AN INVITATION TO ALL PARISHIONERS: You are invited to come and pray with Sister Clarinda in thanksgiving for her 50 years of Religious Profession. The Franciscan Sisters have ministered at St. John's since 1952, and Sister Clarinda is our Faith Formation Director. We will begin with Mass at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 17, and a reception will follow Mass in St. Joseph's Hall.
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WANTED: Birthright volunteers for the Coon Rapids and St. Paul offices. "A volunteer opportunity with no pay, but great benefits!" You are needed for two hours, only 1 - 2 times per month, to help parents make alternative choices to abortion. Training is Saturday, November 13, 8:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., and Sunday, November 14, 11:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call Judy Quayle for more information, (651) 633-0459.
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Let's go to Italy with Fr. Bill!
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FATHER BILL is leading a tour to Italy on April 18 - 26, 2005. Travel brochures are in the kiosks in St. Paul Plaza.
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