The awareness of living on the same planet and sharing the same destiny is growing. The human family knows itself more vulnerable than ever, more than ever linked too.
But this fundamental unity seems to crack in the fractures of the world. They are hollowed out by the forgetting of the other, by greed, by the will to dominate. This leads to every man for himself, to the degradation of the environment and to the commodification of human beings, to deadly wars.
For millennia, mankind has known that it cannot surrender to these blind forces without running to its loss. Century after century, civilizations have erected a rampart of law and customs sheltering their traditions of wisdom. Souls of civilizations, they strive to light the dark road of generations. Diverse, they draw their common traits from the spiritual sources of humanity.
Clarity, kindness, vigor
A common hope could emerge if the desire for dialogue prevails over the instinct of rivalries. But, wrote Pope Francis, the dialogue “presupposes its own identity which should not be abdicated to please the other.” He also demands “the courage of otherness which involves the full recognition of the other and of his freedom. The pope says: “Without freedom, there are no longer children of the human family, but slaves. […] Without freedom, there is no truth … ” (1)
This demanding research is necessary because we cannot build anything solid outside the paths of truth. And, if no human being has it fully, everyone can approach it in clarity and kindness.
Many recognize that the forces of the Spirit are at work in the world: wisdom, intelligence, advice, vigor, knowledge, respect, filial affection. And many seek the source of the Spirit of Kindness that supports the rise of humanity through the centuries. It instructs memory, illuminates action, awakens will, meditated Bernard de Clairvaux.
This Breath that Crosses Humanity, Christians Venerate on this Day of Pentecost. They call it Holy Spirit. Creative spirit that hovered over the waters before the world, the Bible reports. Comforting spirit in trials. Spirit of truth and freedom. Clarity offered to all.
Forgotten fractures of the world raise a thrilling call to life, to freedom, to justice, to harmony. It is time that, from all walks of life, more and more men and women of goodwill rise to respond to it, weaving the bonds of the human family with an increase in intelligence, wisdom, perseverance.
So our common vulnerability will not turn into a wall of fear. But it will become an open door to the vigor of the Spirit which reveals the splendor of creation and leads to the fullness of life.
(1) Ouest-France 27-5-20 – Exclusive extracts from the book Various and United, Pope Francis, Salvator editions.
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