Meaningful Hope

“I came into the world for nothing else, only composing,” the famous Franz Schubert from Vienna, Austria, wrote in 1820. “My creations exist by the knowledge of music and of suffering.” A young artist, who died at 31, experienced the difficulties of life, the severe and intense sickness, as well as the emptiness of existence of those who feel rejected and forgotten. And this is how he came to find refuge in music, to express his pain through his art.

One of his songs became very popular, called ‘Wiegenlied’, D 498. It was known as a lullaby, berceuse, but became the part of the Christmas repertoire since an adaptation in Italian, ‘Mille cherubini in coro’. Andrea Bocelli considers it as his preferred Christmas music. The lyrics are really beautiful. These words remind us the quietness of Bethlehem and the mystery of incarnation. It is easy, while listening to the music, to imagine the ‘silent night’ where God gave to us the most precious gift, Jesus-Christ.

But there is another message we want to underline. Franz Schubert had a very short life. However he was able to identify his goal and his mission. He came to compose. People didn’t understand always his words. Publishing houses refused to print his music. Financial support was almost inexistent. His solitude was obvious.  Nevertheless, his impact was tremendous. He understood the reason of his existence and continued to compose where nobody believed in Him. At the end of his life the influence of his music was real. Franz List said that “Schubert was the most poetic musician that ever lived.”

In the year to come, 2013, we wish you the abundance of God’s blessings. May His peace fill your heart in all circumstances. And don’t forget Schubert. Enjoy your life and find why you are on this planet. Then do whatever is possible to fulfill your mission. As Steve Maraboli stated, “Your greatest self has been waiting your whole life; don’t make it wait any longer.” Be the most poetic performer of your own mission.

Lyrics: Dormi, dormi, sogna, piccolo amor mio. Dormi, sogna, posa il capo sul mio cor. Mille cherubini in coro ti sorridono dal ciel. Una dolce canzone t’accarezza il crin. Una man ti guida lieve fra le nuvole d’or, sognando e vegliando su te, mio tesor, proteggendo il tuo cammin. Su te, mio tesor, proteggendo il tuo cammin.

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” 1 Timothy 2: 1. 2.

Our society very often considers success as accumulation of material things. This is not the biblical point of view. God prefers that we spend time taking care of our heart. Our character, our thoughts of love, words of love, and actions of love are the only things that we will bring with us to heaven. All other accomplishments are insignificant. And this is why we need to promote, with the apostle Paul, prayer, thanksgiving, peace, godliness and honesty.

Peter Scotese said, “Integrity is not a 90 percent thing, not a 95 percent thing; either you have it or you don’t.”

I invite you to think about the foundational values of our life. Let’s be 100% honest, 100% prayer oriented, 100% thankful. Let’s be 100% on God’s side.

On Monday, September 24, 2012, a high representative of the Catholic Church, Msgr. Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for relations with States, attended the 67th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, and submitted a very important document regarding a “particularly urgent task for a just, equitable and effective world governance. ” (1)

In general, media draw attention to the contributions of world-renowned political leaders. Thus, Mssrs. Obama, Ahmadinejad, Netanyahu, and Holande (new French president), attracted the attention of television and newspapers. However, it is also essential to analyze major contributions to the discussion of how to lead the world in this time of crisis. Those who have religious convictions and are grounded in God’s Word have sufficient reason to be very attentive.

The text presented by Msgr. Mamberti is well organized, with an outstanding structure, and written with talent and clarity. In addition, it is almost predictable that a religious spokesperson carefully avoids religious vocabulary while speaking to a diplomatic audience. And we can understand his reasoning when he affirms that the international society is witnessing a “juridical disorder”, a total lack of solid foundation. It is very difficult, from the perspective of those who govern society at the beginning of the 21st century, to decide what is right and what is wrong. (2) However, his suggestion to take human rights as the ultimate authority is significant and I will focus on the basic elements of this declaration.

Msgr. Mamberti states: “The Preamble and the first article of the United Nations Charter, together with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are the result of a lengthy juridical and political process, which began with the encounter between the theoretical and philosophical reasoning of Greek culture and the juridical and practical reasoning of the Romans, to which were added other elements, such as Judaeo-Christian wisdom, the laws of other European peoples, canon law and its developments, the mediaeval and Renaissance work of Jewish, Arab and Christian philosophers and lastly contribution of the thinking of the Enlightenment and of the political developments due to the revolutions of the 18th century.” (3)

According to the above passage, the United Nations’ Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are anchored on the foundations of 1. Greek philosophy; and 2. Legislative Roman heritage; furthermore, there is mention of additional elements: 3. Judaeo-Christian wisdom; 4. Juridical contribution of European nations; 5. Church tradition (canon law and its developments); 6. Mediaeval and Renaissance philosophy; and 7. Enlightenment. The conclusion of Msgr. Mamberti is also instructive: “It is only in the light of this complex, rich and intricate edifice, which is simultaneously historical, juridical and philosophical, that the inviolable and inalienable rights of the human person can and must be appreciated as the essence of the law, and to which the rules must refer.”

This declaration calls for some comments:

1. Human rights can only be defined through a reference to God himself. Further, human beings cannot define the rights of other human beings if they fail to recognize the creation of humanity in God’s image. When we eliminate God, we provide human rights and dignity only partially or temporarily, or from the wrong perspective. The absence of God’s vision for our planet produces wars in the name of human rights and the promotion of entitlements that do not contribute to man’s dignity.

2. Man was not created to only enjoy dignity and to claim rights. God the Creator imagined him as a being of love. And through His plan for the happiness of created beings, He made things in such a way that the dignity of man is permanently flowing through his love, through his service, and through his connection with others. Therefore, it is important not only to promote human rights, but to promote that which will develop the dignity of man. It is his service that helps him to live a life of fulfillment. As Ellen White stated, “[True education] is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come.” (4) Through his service, man becomes who he really is: a being of love, an incredible blessing for others.

3. Even though we respect Greek philosophy and Roman legislation, even though we praise the Lord for the achievements of so many exceptional individuals throughout human history, we have only one reference: “Thus says the Lord”. We prefer to be grounded in “It Is Written” than to navigate through the labyrinth of human wisdom and confusion. “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD”.  (5)

I invite you to always do your best for your country. A true Christian is continuously an outstanding citizen. I encourage you to pray for leaders where you live and for those who take care of world governance. Do everything that is possible to contribute to a society of prosperity, respect, and peace. But never forget your ultimate term of reference: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to man more than to God.” (6) This is the only way to respect the rights of all human beings in all their dignity. And do it because you consider them not only as protected by the Declaration of Human Rights, but uplifted by God himself: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” Do not be guided exclusively by human rights. Promote divine human rights.

(1) High-level Meeting of the 67^th session of the General Assembly on the Rule of Law and the National and International Levels, Statement by H.E. Msgr. Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for relations with states and head of the Holy See delegation at the 67^th ordinary session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Monday 24 September 2012.

(2) “Where there is a lack of objective criteria as a basis and guide for legislative activity, the affirmation of the rule of law is reduced to a sterile tautology, to a mere “rule of rules”, Mamberti, par. 5.

(3) Mamberti, par. 8.

(4) Education, p. 13.

(5) Jeremiah 9: 23 – 24.

(6) Acts 4: 19.

Winston Churchill, best known as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the WWII, was considered not only as a fine politician, but also as “the greatest human being ever to occupy 10 Downing Street” (Roy Jenkins). His capacity to take hard decisions, to make great speeches, to communicate with simple citizens of his kingdom, or to write great books (Nobel Prize in 1953, Litterature) contributed to his image of a very polyvalent man. It is hard to find a stateman as often quoted as himself. It’s why it is interesting to know his opinion about the principles guiding his everyday life. He affirmed:

We agree with Sir Churchill. It is essential to focus our strenghts to the fulfillment of high ideals. Only the weak characters will be satisfied with the mediocrity. Only those who have a poor self esteem will consume something destroying their body. We are worthy to invest in our well being.

It doesn’t mean that we will accept a high level of expenses. There is no doubt that we are all limited, financially, socially, and especially with our time. It is almost impossible to always wear the best clothes, to eat the best food, to assist to the best concerts, to take vacations on the best places in the world and so on. In all honesty, it was not Churchill’s main idea. For him, the most important question is the state of mind. He rejects weak goals. His point of view implies that man simplifies his future when he looks to what is the best.

Even the persons without plenty of money can have the same concept in their life. For exemple, it is not necessary to have the best cell phone in order to have the best communications with our beloved. Also, a simple walk could have more impact on a relationship with someone then a very expensive car for the long trips.

Let’s mention the necessity of the education of our aspirations. It is not always wise to listen the desire of our senses. Very often what is attractive is not valuable. As Robert Redford said, “Health food may be good for the conscience but Oreos taste a hell of a lot better”. It is evident that it takes time, patience, hard willing and a true enthousiasm to see the best becoming our real ideal of life.

However, the most important  fact is the reality of God’s love for us. He has always the best plans for our future. The prophet Jeremiah reminds us: “I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

God’s goodness leads our life in the direction of peace and serenity because we understand in our hearts that our future is filled with the precious gifts from the heavenly tresors.

I invite you to follow the suggestion of Sir Winston Churchill. Be satisfied with the very best. Accept God’s projects for your future. May it be the blessed perspective of our existence. We are not created for pour moins de cela.

Jesus-Christ, the greatest gift that humanity has ever received, made this surprising statement: “It is to your advantage that I go away…” (John 16:7, NKJV)  For centuries, crowds awaited the promised Messiah. Each mother dreamed of holding in her arms the child that would put a stop to injustice and suffering.  Barely had the name of Immanuel, that is, “God with us”, passed the lips that Jesus was already announcing his departure.  His words, “Let not your heart be troubled, I go away”, resonated in the hearts of the disciples.

For many, questions are numerous: Is it possible that we must after the Ascension be satisfied with Jesus’ absence? Would the lives of God’s children be characterized by simply waiting, just as they were for years before the miracle in Bethlehem? How is it possible to consider the two-thousand-year delay without believing that God is distancing Himself from the affairs of this planet?

But the reality is entirely different. Jesus’ departure changed everything. We have not come back to the same type of waiting period as before the coming of the Messiah. This time, all the advantages are on our side, and not only because of the cross and of the resurrection.  The main advantage resides in the qualities of our Counsellor.

If we speak of a departure, we must not forget an arrival: the arrival of the dove, the divine breath, the fire that warms the hearts wounded by life’s challenges. Yes, the Spirit of God makes all the difference. His presence appeases and invigorates.  His voice leads us into all truth.  His action strengthens us, sealing us unto eternal life.

Because of Him, we wait without despairing.  By His strength, we triumph without becoming weary.  Thanks to His salvific action, we become children of God without ever feeling condemned.  On His road, we move forward without slowing down.

In fact, nothing can be accomplished, in one’s personal life, nor in the life of the church without the impulse originating from the Holy Spirit.  There is no progress, no piety, no worship, and of course no evangelism possible without His taking more space in the heart.  As Paul Josef Cordes said, “It is the Spirit of God that arouses the holiness of man.  All we have to do is to prepare in our lives a space for this Spirit.”

I sincerely pray that God will grant us His grace so that we may be animated by His Spirit, where we will have as a priority the preparation of a space for Him.  “Heavenly Father, we ask You to please give us Your Holy Spirit and to give it to us always anew, that He may wake us up, enlighten us, encourage us and help us to risk big and small steps, for the consolation by which we seek to comfort ourselves, to lead us to hope in you. Turn us away from looking at ourselves in order to look to you; keep us from turning away from your sight. Do not allow us to seek for solutions without you. Reveal to us your magnificence and show us how much it is admirable to confide in you and to obey You. (Karl Barth, To come in God’s presence)

The good news is that God is ready to grant us this marvellous gift.  Let us ask and we shall receive.  I have no doubt that He will grant us what we desire of Him.  “As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” (Hosea 6:3, NIV )