Why not us?
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Stephen Kent | Catholic News Service
"Why not us?" was the catchphrase used last season by Russell Wilson, quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks.
Wilson, then in his second season, used the phrase to inspire his teammates to believe in the possibility of winning the Super Bowl. And they did -- quite handily.
"Why not us?" could be used by Catholics to counter the deficit of leadership in the country, indeed the world. The church, of course, is a worldwide organization, headed by perhaps the most charismatic and admired public figure in the world.
The former prime minister of Israel, Shimon Peres, himself a Nobel Peace Price winner, has already suggested that Pope Francis head an organization representing the world's major religions as a moral force able to intervene in conflicts.
Peres said Pope Francis would be the best person to head such a world body because "perhaps for the first time in history, the Holy Father is a leader who's respected, not just by a lot of people, but also by different religions and their representatives."
"In fact, perhaps he is the only leader who is truly respected" in the world, said Peres.
"Why not us?" would require far more than the pope heading an effort. It requires everyone in every parish, in every city, in every state, in every country to realize and take responsibility for acknowledging the world is a mass of problems and to do something about it.
There is little evidence to suggest that there is any leadership present or on the horizon to deal with things.
The president of the United States, perhaps backfilling to find reasons for his prematurely awarded Nobel Peace Prize, is looking about to form "a coalition of the willing" to deal with the barbarous Islamic State terrorists.
But we have a coalition, right? The United Nations. After surveying the beheadings, mass executions, rape and pillaging, that body in August boldly passed a resolution condemning these people for behaving badly. In September, the beheadings, mass executions, rape and pillaging continued unabated, the terrorists apparently finding the resolution unconvincing.
The do-nothing U.S. Congress remains content to do even less until after the November elections lest any vote in favor of right, reason and justice be used by an electoral opponent against a member standing for re-election.
Christians are supposed to be a light unto the world, a leaven. Individuals have to reach a critical mass to create a force that will be effective. Since solutions are not coming from capitols, executive mansions or palaces, it is time they come from the people.
Too often the answer to "Why not us?" is: because it's not my job. There are other people who are supposed to take care of things.
With the Internet, social media and communication, a drop can develop into a sea in a matter of hours.
Think if the parishioners of all the parishes in one city telephoned or messaged their member of Congress. Not a petition with names, but hundreds and thousands of individual communications saying we are dissatisfied with this scandalous inertia and insist on action. Extend this to one state, and then all states so that those in positions of leadership actually lead and honor the position of leadership. And then country by country.
We can't spread a message throughout the world to form a worldwide coalition?
It was done by 12 people 2,000 years ago.
Why not us?
Kent is the retired editor of two archdiocesan newspapers and has a master's degree in spirituality. He can be contacted at: [email protected].
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By Stephen Kent | Catholic News Service
"Why not us?" was the catchphrase used last season by Russell Wilson, quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks.
Wilson, then in his second season, used the phrase to inspire his teammates to believe in the possibility of winning the Super Bowl. And they did -- quite handily.
"Why not us?" could be used by Catholics to counter the deficit of leadership in the country, indeed the world. The church, of course, is a worldwide organization, headed by perhaps the most charismatic and admired public figure in the world.
The former prime minister of Israel, Shimon Peres, himself a Nobel Peace Price winner, has already suggested that Pope Francis head an organization representing the world's major religions as a moral force able to intervene in conflicts.
Peres said Pope Francis would be the best person to head such a world body because "perhaps for the first time in history, the Holy Father is a leader who's respected, not just by a lot of people, but also by different religions and their representatives."
"In fact, perhaps he is the only leader who is truly respected" in the world, said Peres.
"Why not us?" would require far more than the pope heading an effort. It requires everyone in every parish, in every city, in every state, in every country to realize and take responsibility for acknowledging the world is a mass of problems and to do something about it.
There is little evidence to suggest that there is any leadership present or on the horizon to deal with things.
The president of the United States, perhaps backfilling to find reasons for his prematurely awarded Nobel Peace Prize, is looking about to form "a coalition of the willing" to deal with the barbarous Islamic State terrorists.
But we have a coalition, right? The United Nations. After surveying the beheadings, mass executions, rape and pillaging, that body in August boldly passed a resolution condemning these people for behaving badly. In September, the beheadings, mass executions, rape and pillaging continued unabated, the terrorists apparently finding the resolution unconvincing.
The do-nothing U.S. Congress remains content to do even less until after the November elections lest any vote in favor of right, reason and justice be used by an electoral opponent against a member standing for re-election.
Christians are supposed to be a light unto the world, a leaven. Individuals have to reach a critical mass to create a force that will be effective. Since solutions are not coming from capitols, executive mansions or palaces, it is time they come from the people.
Too often the answer to "Why not us?" is: because it's not my job. There are other people who are supposed to take care of things.
With the Internet, social media and communication, a drop can develop into a sea in a matter of hours.
Think if the parishioners of all the parishes in one city telephoned or messaged their member of Congress. Not a petition with names, but hundreds and thousands of individual communications saying we are dissatisfied with this scandalous inertia and insist on action. Extend this to one state, and then all states so that those in positions of leadership actually lead and honor the position of leadership. And then country by country.
We can't spread a message throughout the world to form a worldwide coalition?
It was done by 12 people 2,000 years ago.
Why not us?
Kent is the retired editor of two archdiocesan newspapers and has a master's degree in spirituality. He can be contacted at: [email protected].
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