By
and large, most people do not like change. It disturbs their comfortable,
settled ways. Familiarity brings with it reassurance. When you disturb the
status quo and through your actions unsettle people, you can expect rough
consequences. Reaction will come sooner or later.
Some
disturbance can of course be beneficial, even necessary, but too much causes
instability and confusion. Change often comes with the arrival of new faces
anxious to make an impression. They set about altering previous patterns so that
they may impose their own pre-conceived ideas. Usually such a move is fraught
with risk. Time is required to look round the table at others who have opinions
allowing for dialogue to take place before regrettable decisions are hastily
made.
There
is no doubt that we are living through a time when the peace is being disturbed.
In the
UK
we are approaching the date of the European referendum when
a decision will be made on our continuation as a member of the European
community. In the meantime, the rhetoric of claim and counterclaim fills the
airwaves and some unusual bedfellows share platforms in a bid to win our support
for their point of view.
In
the
United States
we are entering a presidential election like no other in
recent years with the raucous inexperience of the Republican candidate in a
national contest with the first woman candidate from either party, representing
the Democrats. And people beyond the frontiers of that country feel uneasy about
possible outcomes.
Since
the election of Francis to the See of Rome, there has been evidence of change in
the
Western
Church
yet how carefully he has had to tread, a balancing act
between those who seek radical movement and others who wish to inhabit the holy
comfort zone of earlier experience.
Robert
Mickens writing in a recent article on the Net notes
“Lots
of people are wondering what is taking so long.
In my
last column I noted that "many reform-minded Catholics have again
become quite worried about the future direction of their church" because of
the slow pace of reform.
And
that's quite understandable.
Because
-- as I pointed out -- "despite being able to effect a seismic change in
attitude and ethos throughout the worldwide Catholic family, Francis has done
nothing to ensure that this will not all be tossed aside" by a future
pope.”
I
am not so sure. How far a future pope could put the clock back would not just
depend on the curia, but on the acceptance of the universal church. The dialogue
that Francis has attempted to establish through the Council of Cardinals and the
recent synod of bishops will not be easy to ignore. The learning process has
begun and however much bishops’ conferences in different parts of the world
choose to drag their feet, they will eventually have to come to terms with the
words of the poet W H Auden- “Time tells you nothing but I told you so.”
This is not a wish to pander to populist
attitudes in an attempt to gain credence. It is a plea that we respond to
current needs in our living the truth of the Gospel, aware of the realties of
our age in the light of our Christian message.
Too
often the question is put “whose side are you on?” when what is
required is an honest examination of issues and an exchange of informed opinion,
a listening church not a dogmatic one.
In
recent history we have seen examples where economic and political unrest have
given rise to social disturbance with serious consequences. When the talking
stops, the options are reduced.
As
we move through the early years of the 21st Century we should reflect
on experience. We should come together respecting differences of opinion,
seeking the flexibility of love rather than wearing the straight jacket of a
closed mind. We should be anxious to listen to others, even if we are not too
comfortable with the words they utter. Sincerity should be respected.
We
should not doubt the presence of the Spirit in our times nor lack the courage to
tread new paths in response to our calling. It can be a discouraging road as the
men walking to Emmaus found out, until they had company on their journey and the
Lord walked with them.
The
opening lines of Goodnight America sung by Mary Chapin Carpenter,
indicate a person on a journey, watching for the lights to change amid the press
of rush hour traffic.
“I'm
standing at a traffic light somewhere in West L.A.
Waiting for the sign to change then
I'll be on my way
The noise, the heat, the crush of
cars just robs me of my
nerve
and someone yells and blasts their horn and pins
me to the curb I'm a stranger here, no one you would know.
My ship has not come in but I keep hoping though”
Let’s
keep hoping,
END
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