Cunundrum

Last night, on the day of Pope John Paul II’s beatification, as well as Mercy Sunday, we learned as the world learned that Osama bin Laden had been killed.  This is good news for sure.  My Facebook page filled with people in a celebratory, patriotic spirit cheering for this heinous persons death.  As they accumulated something inside of me became unsettled.  I asked myself, “am I glad he is dead?”  Well,  not so much glad as relieved.  I don’t know.  I am conflicted.  Is it ever right for me to rejoice over a death?  I don’t know.  I am glad he is no longer part of the world that I and my loved ones inhabit.  I am glad that there is one less person whose total disregard for human life is such a driving force that you can feel the evil inside of it.  I am glad that there will be one less person used as his shield.  I have no use for cowards.  But do I rejoice??  If as my wise nephew said, “it was the end of the cancer” that drives these divisions in our world, then I would rejoice.  Unfortunately, I do know better.  I know that most of these actions come out of an imbalance in power, resources and justice.  I know that he was able to simply reap the fertile ground of anger and despair.  It forces me to ask myself, “what is my part?”  I understand the emotions that are out there and this strikes very close to home being a New Yorker.  I know people who lost their loved ones that day and my own husband was suppose to be at one of the buildings except for a change in schedule.  I am very aware that it seems like yesterday…I remember everything.  But I can’t help but wonder about the usefulness of returning hate with hate.  If I am a follower of Jesus, if I am a child of God and if I believe that we are all created in God’s image than doesn’t that mean that I also have to dig really deep to find that place of forgiveness and the humanity that binds us??  I am required, in the words of Jesus, the “bind and loose.”  Which means forgive or not forgive.  Notice, that the power is given to us??It seems to me that as we are all on the road to Emmaus through this Easter season this could be a wonderful opportunity to truly wear our faith.  Our faith, that is rooted in a love of neighbor and love of God.  Was it ever meant to be easy?  Considering our collective story, I am thinking no.  But is it what we are called to do…yes.  Don’t get me wrong…I am going between both emotions too but I want to stay with the one that does the most good.  I want to stay with the one that heals, not just Americans but all of the people who have been affected by this.  We cannot forget that this has affected the whole world.  Below is a link to an article by Fr. Martin which really brings perspective…enjoy.http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=4174