Sunday, July 31, 2016

FOR EVERYONE SAYING TO STOP BICKERING AND GET ALONG...

(Posted by Glaucon Jr)

When I was a boy, I watched my dad beat the hell out of my mom at least three days a week until I was old enough to do chores, and then he gladly included me in the beatings and trips to the hospitals for my "clumsiness." 

Riddle me this, Batman: if someone--anyone--walked in and saw that, would he have said, "Stop bickering and put this hard feeling behind you?"

When I was sent to the States during the summer before 8th grade to stay with my uncle, I was covered on my back and buttocks with bruises that were in the shape of the belt buckle (since dear old dad used that end to hit me for getting a B). 

When my uncle saw it, what did he say? Was it "we need reconciliation in this family?"

No one ever said anything. And so it continued until I was old enough to fight back, not just physically but emotionally. No relatives, nothing. Because we don't talk about it. It upsets things. But while you're keeping the peace, the most defenseless bleed.

And that's the point, good people. I appreciate your wanting peace and harmony, but brutality isn't a joke. It's not something to gloss over. 

My dad apologized later, and it took time not only to forgive, but for him to accept forgiveness. None of it comes easily or cheaply. 

So stop with your groanings about how the demand for justice disturbs your delicacy. You insult the victims, and quite honestly you diminish the contrition of those who work to make amends. 

This is the substance of working out one's salvation. Don't trivialize it with the Gospel According to Hallmark.

11 comments:

  1. Or "Hints from Heloise"!

    Great post, Glaucon Jr. Thank you again!

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  2. Thank you, Jr. This battle in our Church is bigger than all of us. It is about protecting the innocent, fighting injustice, and standing for TRUTH! It is not always about YOU! If our work offends your senses because it isn't "pretty" or "nice," then please just go! Leave the workers in the vineyard to their work.

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  3. Right to the point, Jr. We are striving for the truth. As Teri pointed out, this battle is bigger than all of us. The injustices that have occurred need to be confronted. St. Michael, defend us all.

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  4. Thankyou Glaucon.
    This fight is above all about Justice for all who have suffered because of Apuron's 30 years of mental sickness.

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  5. Marilu D. MartinezJuly 31, 2016 at 4:04 PM

    The stark reality is that in any battle there will be casualties but I believe that if we keep our focus on the mission and reason for our battle -- the preservation and protection of authentic Catholicism, and not on our own self-preservation -- the only casualties will be from those opposing this mission! Remember who it was (in the story of the creation of the Angels) who arrogantly and adamantly exclaimed to God: “I will not serve”? The Catholic faithful know that we are in the midst of a spiritual battle for our authentic local Catholic Church.

    Mr. Glaucon Jr, I believe that you’re simply calling a spade a spade. The Catholic faithful are glad you’re on our side of this battle to take back our authentic Faith and Church from the sticky fingers of the NCW. That done, I also trust the other goals of this battle will fall in place. St Michael, defend and protect us in our battles!

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  6. Glaucoma Jr. You really bring a perspective to the reason for our plight. Many have to realize that the cost for righting wrong, seeking justice for those abused while seeking and preserving the truth is a great undertaking. Great measures require great sacrifices and effort. God Bless..

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  7. Thank you Glaucon Jr. for your post. What you said reinforces how the victims continue to suffer because of those who are so generous with someone else' suffering. How easy it is for others to say forgive and forget when the rape or abuse did not happen to them. Thank you again and God Bless you for all you are doing.

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  8. i'm sorry for the abuses you've suffered and witnessed, glaucon. but thank you for sharing your story. it's spot-on in pointing out the inherent problem with the call for everyone to "stop bickering."

    as many have pointed out, "don't talk about it"/"keep it in the family" is a deeply cultural trait, and it's a problem that needs to be addressed. but because it's so much part of the culture, it's not something that can be changed overnight--or even in one generation.

    sadly but not surprisingly, guam's priests are living this culture too. "reaching out"--showing compassion and support in a concrete way--to apuron's survivors seems so obvious and natural for any person to do. and yet, after many weeks, we continue to hear that NONE of the priests have done so. (i hope that's no longer the case, but i'm not holding my breath.)

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  9. I'm one person, and as far as I'm concerned, I got off light. I know of families where it is far far worse. At this point, family abuse is the most apt analogy for what's going on in the Church on Guam.

    On a not-quite-on-point note, when I hear how NCW catechists in general cite family violence as "God's will," my indignation turns to rage at such anti-Gospel catechesis. But that's just another one and future post.

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