When was the last time you inadvertently rode your bicycle into a straight-and-narrow tramrail sliced in the middle of the road? In Amsterdam and The Hague, cities of bicycles and trams, it happens all the time; in my 70 years, at least, three times, three times too many. How can I be so stupid? Not too many Americans are so foolish, because, well, who ride bicycles here and where are the inner-city trams?
So, what happens when your bicycle’s wheels are stuck inside the rut of the rail? You lose your balance, and you can break your collar bone, if not your skull. As I view America this morning, from 30,000 feet up in the air, I see Americans stuck in their ruts, out of balance, figuratively on a constricted rail, about to smash their heads.
Many want it their way, ‘or the highway.’ Now is the yeastiest time in America, surging with possibilities. Yet, America is in panic, some already heading to man their battle stations.
In a 1989 Papal Address, ‘God’s Infinite Love and Unconditional Grace,’ Saint Pope John Paul II, painted in Helsinki, Finland a hopeful picture:
“Let us help Europe [and the Americas] to discover its [their] roots, to become more closely identified with its past.
Religious life is not threatened merely by vexing restrictions; it can also be threatened by the spread of false values – such as hedonism, power-seeking, greed – which stifle many people’s spiritual aspirations.
This is why believers need to share freely in public debate and put forward another view of the world – the one inspired by their faith. In this way, they contribute to the moral uplift of the society in which they live.
European nations have become more and more aware that the honest confrontation of ideas and convictions has been an indispensable condition for their over-all development.
For this reason, Europe and the world can rightly expect from religions a significant contribution to the search for peace.”
Agreed! But what should Americans do with reason and open and honest discourse kicked out of the window? What next?
Fast forward to the Papal General Audience at the Vatican, conducted on 5 July 2000:
“The great biblical tradition especially prompts the faithful to call upon God to receive the necessary light and strength. to do good. The Psalmist prays in Psalm 119: ‘
Instruct me, O Lord, in the way of your statutes, that I may exactly observe them. Give me discernment, that I may observe Your law and keep it with all my heart. Lead me in the path of your commands, for in it, I delight … Turn away my eyes from seeing what is vain; by your way give me life‘” (Psalm 119: 33-35, 37).
The journey of God’s encounter with humankind will unfold under the banner of love. On the one hand, divine Trinitarian love goes before us, surrounds us, and continuously opens the way for us to the Father’s house. There the Father is waiting to embrace us, as in the Gospel parable of the ‘prodigal son,’ or better of the ‘merciful Father’ (Luke 15: 11-32).
On the other hand, fraternal love is asked of us as a response to God’s love: ‘Beloved’ John admonishes us in his First Letter, ’if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another…. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him’ (1 John 4: 11, 16).
Salvation, life, and eternal joy blossom from the embrace of divine love and human love.“
How does one love the other? With honor, respect, and dignity! Honor, respect, and dignify the other as God dignifies, respects, and honors us!
65 “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me;
I was found by those who did not seek me.
To a nation that did not call on my name,
I said, ‘Here am I, here am I’ (Isaiah 65: 1).
And don’t fear!
Read more: ‘God’s Infinite Love and Unconditional Grace’
With Every Good Wish to You, I am,
Sincerely,
Building the Bridge Foundation, The Hague
Abraham A. van Kempen
Senior Editor
*‘Christian Zionism … Enraptured Around a Golden Cal” (2nd Edition)
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