Chaplain’s Corner
The blood oozed out. The body was twisted in agony. The screams and the sounds of horror abounded.
Then the television ad was over and the news continued.
I do not know about you folks but I am finding the increased use of violence and mayhem in television and movies to be ever increasing.
I have seen my share of violence inflicted upon the human body. I know what a grenade can do to a young man in the prime of his life when he is blown to bits by accident. I have seen the smoked charred body of a wee boy suffocated by a fire in his home. I have watched outstanding members of communities slowly die with disease. There is any number of examples of what the human body must put up with in real time and real life. I do not need it impacted day by day and hour by hour on television. What can bother me too often is the sudden ad for a cruel program that is inserted in the midst of a pleasant and acceptable story I am watching. I find myself cringing at the sight of blood unexpected.
One of the definitions of war is, ” the controlled use of violence.” Armed forces are trained in the art of the use of power to subdue the enemy. That strength can be the deployment of the Canadian Forces in the form of civil control as in the FLQ crisis of 1970. The soldiers presence was the force in place. They did not shoot to kill during that episode of our history. That can be contrasted with the “shoot before asking questions” mentality in some other countries. The killing of the people is a tactic of violence gone amuck in places on the continent of Africa. That this murderous act is being carried out by teenaged boys is a horror. The use of rape as a means of over lording the innocent people of a village is outrageous. When the use of power is unmanaged, undisciplined, chaos replaces civil life.
The veterans of Canada have seen their share of war and terror. Those who fought their way through Normandy to Holland to Germany in 1944-45 know the sound and fury of the power of destruction. They do not need to recall the sound of shells exploding, the smell of cordite drifting, nor the sight of bodies twisted. Destruction leaves its own imprint, forever. Yet the pursuit of war to overcome a greater evil is part of the human lot if we are to maintain civility.
Modern veterans of our nation have seen as they have opposed the acts of terrorism in many global encounters. There is nothing nice about ideologies that lead the gullible to perform acts of self proclaimed mutilation of the innocent. Our men and women in uniform have had to stand up to these atrocities. Every day our lives are impacted by these violent people who have changed the shape of what is safe. We thank those who stand on guard for us this day. We hope for a reality that returns the world to a place where life can be refreshed by the pursuit of innocence. I for one do not need to have the media of video and film tell me more about horror.
Jesus of Nazareth is reported in The Gospel according to Matthew as saying, “You have heard that it was said, “An eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, “Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.” (Matthew 5:38-41)
Jesus is not telling us to be meek and mild, not to be sheep for the slaughter meted out by self appointed dictators. No, we are called to find the better ways of dealing with the reality of a world gone amuck. We are to stand firm in the hope of a world in which every human person is respected. We are to count our blessings where goodness and mercy can prevail. This may mean that we have to also take a firm stand and proclaim what is right and just. So, in real time and real life, I applaud those who have served and are serving to uphold the best of human qualities. May we all join them.
The violence of TV does not inspire me at all. The acts of daily kindness, that is what makes my life better. Let us all practice being nicer to each other and all who we meet.
The Rev. Art Turnbull, Branch 15 Chaplain