We do more than survive

From a distance, during this past week, I have found myself caught up in the excitement and passion surrounding the gathering of the world's youth, in Rome, for this Jubilee Year.   I was totally captured, seduced by the mere image of one million youth, descending upon Rome, for thier Jubilee celebrations.  I found that just utterly mind-blowing, overcoming my imgaination, beyond my capacity for comprehension. I was enraptured with the Wow of Youth and Leo together, during this past week.  Here was the real news story for our world.  

Yet, I am also very aware that in this coming week, we remember 80 years since the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  It is in my remembering that I find a message for life, shared by valiant and gracious survivors of the atomic blasts, passed on by their families.   I heard their meassge loud and clear, through a heartfelt documentary, on Deutsche Welle - 8.15 Hiroshima - from father to daughter.  Shinji was a teenager in Hiroshima when the bomb fell.  His father led him out of death, finding help, with both surviving, while suffering terribly.  

Despite the ultimate loss of his father and his family, Shinji, who lived a long life, had an enigmatic message to bequeath to the world.  It goes thus. 

Don't be blinded by anger.  

Forgive and live in peace. 

If you receive kindness, share it with others.  

In the midst of immense suffering, he learnt this from his father.  What his father gave him through words and love in action, Shinji treasured.  

Words do matter.  Words give life.  Do not underestimate the power of the word, word lived in life.  

In the words of Pope Leo, in this past week, to the gathered and enthused youth: 

"Peace needs to be sought, proclaimed and shared everywhere, both in the places where we see the tragedy of war and in the empty hearts of those who have lost the meaning of life.  ...  It is about creating an encounter of hearts."  

I don't believe it is any accident that the first atomic bomb was dropped on the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, when Jesus shone in "dazzling white" and his face "changed in appearance".  The light was blinding but, from it, a new reality shone forth.  

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