The tragic fire of Notre Dame this week leaves us not only reeling and suffering emotionally, but further spiritually searching for meaning.
Flames and smoke rise from the blaze at Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, Monday, April 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Thierry Mallet)
It is human nature to seek cause of events, and meaning in our experiences.
Sadly, our time has become one of more speed and less thought, and a time of instant politicization of collective experience. This latter-most reality is wholly unfortunate especially when sacred matters come before us. I recommend all mature people quickly eschew and reject this grotesque, manipulative, and divisive writing and behavior.
There also is a rush to analysis, to meaning-creating, In this case understandably so. While this goes on, I recommend we take in as many such analyses as possible, with an open mind. Take all such writing and commentary in prayerfully, and through this, we will see our own views begin to crystallize, both as individuals personally, and collectively, little by little.
Michael Ledeen, in his April 16 essay, Notre Dame: A Bad Omen or a Sign of the Strength of Western Civilization? offers some good and constructive thoughts to the larger conversation, one that hopefully will continue to attract creative reflections from many more thinkers going forward.
Frank Kaufmann
Director, Inter Religious Federation for World Peace