Love or Passivity

Chapter 5

A BETTER KIND OF POLITICS

THE EXCERCISE OF POLITICAL LOVE

Sacrifices born of love

187. This charity, which is the spiritual heart of politics, is always a preferential love shown to those in greatest need; it undergirds everything we do on their behalf.[183] Only a gaze transformed by charity can enable the dignity of others to be recognized and, as a consequence, the poor to be acknowledged and valued in their dignity, respected in their identity and culture, and thus truly integrated into society. That gaze is at the heart of the authentic spirit of politics. It sees paths open up that are different from those of a soulless pragmatism. It makes us realize that “the scandal of poverty cannot be addressed by promoting strategies of containment that only tranquilize the poor and render them tame and inoffensive. How sad it is when we find, behind allegedly altruistic works, the other being reduced to passivity”.[184] What are needed are new pathways of self-expression and participation in society. Education serves these by making it possible for each human being to shape his or her own future. Here too we see the importance of the principle of subsidiarity, which is inseparable from the principle of solidarity.

After our priests satiate our hunger and quench our thirst with Christ, will our works be clearly seen as done in God?

The Eucharist cannot be reduced to a strategy of containment that only tranquilizes the Church and renders us tame and inoffensive. How sad it is when we find, behind allegedly altruistic works, we are simply being reduced to passivity.

For months Bishop Zurek was passive in doing anything about Monsignor Colwell’s now self-professed alcoholism, and the growing crisis it was causing at the Cathedral.

“…he, (Monsignor Colwell) is not an alcoholic. He is suffering from a very high blood pressure that is only made worse by the unnecessary stress he has endured for months.”

A Reflection on Christian Life

Our shepherd tried to reduce to passivity “a few” restless souls who saw paths open up that were different from those of a soulless pragmatism. By believing, “Prayers are important, but communities must come together to find positive solutions.”, they actively participated in shaping our future.

Monsignor Colwell followed Bishop Olmsted of Phoenix’s advice and stepped, “Into the Breach”, sought help, returned to St. Mary’s asking for forgiveness, and is now actively serving in the Diocese of Amarillo. If Bishop Zurek were to ask him, “How should one love during times of “heightened tension“?”; Monsignor’s non-passive response may very well be, “Be a man! Be an authentic Catholic man!”