This got me to wondering. What would happen if the Pope's request was ever brought to fruition, became reality. For many years, the very thing of which the Pope speaks in protest has been painfully obvious to the writer. People who wore crosses, crucifixes, sometimes mogens, whose actions and treatment of others stood in direct, willful, and flagrant opposition to and disproof of the fact of the symbols which they wore. Back in the sixties, a cross or crucifix on a necklace chain was a "standard part of the uniform" as an accoutrement to the daily dress of almost all of the girls I knew or saw. Their deportment which many times was in direct opposition to that symbol was also more than apparent. Of course, this in no way means that the guys are "off the hook" because just as often their actions were "at least as bad as" if not "even worse than" the girls. Especially since the guys did not always respect the limitations which the symbol which the girls wore placed on their conduct.

If you wish a personal example or two, first I remember that my parents were not all that enamored of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. However, they both made it abundantly clear to me that I must respect those in clerical or religious garb of their faith. The explanation being that they should be respected if only because they placed their beliefs "on the line before God and the public" in the wearing of their robes and habits. Second, I can remember inquiring of my about-to-be father-in-law who was an elder of his church with the following proposition: "If our faith makes a difference, why doesn't it. And if not, why do we even bother. We should then just sleep in on Sunday morning and not "go through the motions". I get very tired of those who excuse their actions with, "Well none of us is perfect," and such expressions. All right. Granted. None of us is perfect. But do we even try to live up to the high values which many of us claim on a regular basis?? A newspaper cartoon of the fifties and sixties entitled "Rick O'Shay" had a very interesting set of panels one Sunday. Mr. O'Shay was tethering his horse outside the church when another regular character came riding up, dismounted and began to do likewise. Mr. O'Shay's comment was, "I didn't know you were a Christian. The answer, indicative of the point of this entire piece, was, "Then I must not have been doing it right."

Even today, in the office(s) and shops, and on the street(s), this fact has not changed. Many who talk(ed) about "W.W.J.D." (What Would Jesus Do?) are/were/have being/been observed treating others in a manner which once prompted the vocal reaction/comment, "What would Jesus do? He would be decked out in sack cloth and ashes with His head hung in abject shame."

Concerning "using" people. By "using" is meant taking advantage or making use of the talents of another and at the same time, (or before or after) saying things behind that person's back which no one should ever say about anyone. If we cannot stand the person we are dealing with, then we should leave them be. Being disingenuous is the same as lying. Before the brickbats fly, perhaps it should be pointed out that, in this particular, I am nowhere near perfect. Many times my own conduct is not all that acceptable. Sometimes it is absolutely abysmal. Equally split between commission and omission. But still the effort is made on a daily basis.

It may have been pointed out in a previous piece but, is of sufficient import and application that it bears repeating. There is an old children's sing-song which goes, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me." This, and I fervently hope that the people in the back row are listening, is pure, unmitigated hogwash!! Words are our most powerful weapon. Words can kill or cure, elevate or denegrate. Okay, so they can't kill as quickly as a knife or gun, but they can and do so at least as surely and much more painfully than any other weapon currently available to the species called " human". We talk about how terrible some "other" persons who "profess" other religions,; or even our own, are to those around them. Remembering the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, in which the Pharisee absolved himself in what can only be described as "a fit of delusional self-satisfaction" while the Publican, who by his "trade" was basically a thief and social outcast, looked Heavenward. Please note that the Publican was absolved and "went back to his house forgiven by God", but not the Pharisee. In light of that example, the question becomes: "Are our own "skirts" of sufficient cleanliness, in God's eyes, that we can do that?" I think not.

However, instead of losing ourselves pondering the past, may it be proposed that since we all know what is the right and proper thing to do, it is time for all of us to start "doin' it right" in the present so that we can arrive at the future. As the pitcher Sachel Paige is quoted as saying, "Don't look back. You might find out that somethin's gainin' on you." On this Memorial Day weekend, in fact, whenever the reader happens to have the chance to read it, shall we promise ourselves (because if we can't be true to ourselves, all the rest is a superfluous fantasy). The past is past, the future is not yet here. But we do have a very precious gift of which we each and all may avail ourselves. We can begin from now to "do unto others as they would be treated" (After all, one does not serve cream to one who is "lactose intolerant" or sugary snacks to a diabetic). Perhaps that is why "now" is called the "present".

vurdraak@pacbell.net

Opinion Piece # 19

BE IT HEREWITH RESOLVED

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