Day 25: Family, Film and Frustration

Some quick thoughts on a beautiful Spring Saturday morning:

• As I mentioned yesterday, Aidan makes his First Communion on Sunday and we have family staying with us over the weekend.  I won't have much opportunity to get to the computer today since we have a house full of kids and a busy schedule the next two days.

• My day started out well.  Sunrise was at 7:05 and I set the alarm for 6:00, a little earlier than usual for a Saturday morning, so I could get up to eat breakfast.  I hit the snooze bar four times as I slowly awoke while enjoying the sounds of the chirping birds outside the window and quietly reveled in the beauty of Spring. After I ate I walked to the bakery for some donuts for the kids.  It was a very peaceful and quiet early morning.  I am already looking forward to 7:49pm.  I put a pork shoulder on the smoker for four hours yesterday and it is slow cooking in the oven even as we speak.  It smells delicious and it should be a fun evening with great food, family and the Final Four.

• I have been looking forward to seeing the movie Of Gods and Men, a French movie based on a true story about Trappist monks in Algeria who lived peacefully living and serving among their Muslim neighbors until Islamic fundamentalists threaten their security.  I just watched some thoughtful reflections on the movie from James Martin, SJ and now I truly cannot wait to see it.  The video includes several clips from the movie which appears to be as beautifully crafted as it is powerful.   

• As if the news out of Afghanistan of the killing of at least seven UN employees is not disturbing enough, the apparent fact that it was in response to Florida evangelical pastor Terry Jones' burning of a Qur'an is a cause of great frustration.  The murder of innocent people is never justifiable, but neither is the provocation of others by desecrating the sacred texts or objects of their religion.  As a Christian I fail to see how such actions are in accord with a gospel where Jesus teaches his followers to love their enemies.  The only time Jesus ever lifts a finger in protest of religious practices is when it is directed at his own faith tradition and even then his anger is not directed at the sacred but at the profane.  This is truly a distressing development on all accounts.