[The Lord of Silence: general index]

22    Silence and Social Action

Silence before God is not the same as silence before men and one does not imply the other.

It is right to cooperate with those who work for good, whether believers or not, and to understand clearly their positions and convictions.

It is right to protest against those who work for evil, both as humans and as believers in the God of Justice, and to seek to stay their hands with means that are compatible with the good we wish them - setting aside those means that are incompatible.

Wherever there is injustice, violence, bullying, and war, it is our duty to bring a voice that may deflect and stop it. It is not necessary to intervene with methods and principles which though right for us, may oppress or violate persons of a different culture. Let us take time to evaluate our methods and principles and to find out if the groups we wish to defend against violence really welcome us. If we impose our "good", it might be an "evil" for those whose values we do not respect.

Above all, if it seems useful to change others for their own good, facts speak louder on their own than words and declared principles. Facts growing out of truth and love have a strong and beautiful voice. They convince.

But to have such a strong and beautiful voice, how many long conversations with God are needed! How many silent meditations ... how much patient search for His truth!

Susello di Ghiffa, 13 VII 1991

Should we become assassins against assassins, criminals against criminals? Do we really have to hate, curse and kill? No, my soul, not this way. Oh my country! May patience and an inflexible will be preferred. May strength, serenity, and love rule in every fight against the outrages of this world, while we look forward to the time when all Hell will be forever powerless.

Zygmunt Krazinski, dramatist and poet


Translation by George T. Peck

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