Blaise Pascal once observed that
the truly virtuous are those who recognize both their capacity to be selfish
and their capacity to help others and then try to live honestly in the space
between them. But knowing what is right
from wrong is only part of our salvation, the more difficult part is to
challenge the institutions that keep us from doing
the right thing. It makes a difference
if we buy from Wal Mart which openly discriminates against women, it makes a
difference if we cheat on our taxes, which, while disagree with our government
is the foundation of our democracy; it makes a difference if we give enough to
those causes in need which represents our best aspirations. It makes a difference. The virtues of courage, honesty, mindfulness,
and generosity are not only wise but necessary.
Doing right connects the intimacy
of who we are to the ultimate concerns of our lives. Next year, our church will once again be
participating in Habitat for Humanity.
We have been asked to be part of what Habitat for Humanity is calling an Interfaith
Build. This will be a new home from the
ground up. We will have the chance to go
out together on multiple Saturdays next spring and actually join with others
and build a house. Building has always
been an exercise in virtue and wisdom for me, if nothing else in the virtuous
people you meet. Once such man I met
this year was Norman.
Norman is a young man, late
thirties, married with two kids. He went
to USC but has been doing construction for Habitat for many years. I asked him why he did this work when he
clearly could do something else and make a lot more money. Norman shared with me that as a boy he grew
up in Laos Nigeria, his father was an international oil consultant. He went to school at a Catholic mission
school. One of the nuns taught him a lesson
he would never forget: all around you
there are people hungry for work and food, many of the young people will live
by stealing. What she said next surprised him: “They can’t do much to change
their world, but you can. You will have
the power to help others. That is the
most honest work there is.” Then and there he decided to dedicate his life and
his resources to change the world. A
holy man with a hammer.
We won’t save the world, but we
can save a little piece of it, and by so doing our world is just a bit more
renewed. Renewal begins with being
intentional about doing good. You don’t
have to turn your life over to God as my new friend Norman has done but you can
be more intentional about living your values. Relying on the Good of the world is necessary
to put our virtue of love and courage into practice. Respond with
courage and hope. Necessary virtues all.
With Grace and Grit, John
