Open, tolerant, patient

IT’S painful to learn that even now, despite the progress

we have in the area of culture, knowledge and technology, we still can

witness massive cases of primitive misunderstanding and barbaric

brutality in some parts of the world.

            In the US, for example, this brutality is shown in the

many violent protests, rioting, looting, burning, etc, because of some

political and cultural issues.

            We need to make a big, loud and worldwide call for

openness, tolerance and patience among ourselves, starting always with

prayers and sacrifice before we think of whatever solutions may be

needed for this problem.

            Yes, we have to learn how to coexist peacefully in spite

of and even because of our unavoidable differences and conflicts. We

should learn to make our differences, conflicts, mistakes, failures,

offenses, etc. an occasion to love each other more and more. They are

actually privileged occasions for us to broaden and extend our

capacity to love, and to know the more subtle aspects and dimensions

of love.

            And love means we need to be open to one another,

accepting each one the way he is, including his defects, weaknesses,

mistakes, failures, not in the sense of approving what’s wrong with

them, but rather because they are first and last our own brothers and

sisters whom we need to love regardless of whatever.

            Anyway, what usually also happens is that what we consider

as wrong in others are actually just matters of opinion, preferences

and tastes. They are not actually wrong and bad in themselves. They

are just different from ours.

            And so we just have to learn to be open-minded,

respectful, tolerant even as we try to expound our own opinions,

preferences and taste too.    And even when we think that what’s wrong

in others are not simply matters of opinion and taste but of things

essential, we still need to be open, tolerant and patient in an

appropriate manner.

             In this, we have to follow closely the example of Christ

himself who bore all the sins of men just to save us. He is the

standard, the pattern and the power in our effort to be open, tolerant

and patient with everybody else.

            Of course, this is possible only when we have faith in

God’s word and try to conform our ways to God’s ways. But we can start

learning these indispensable traits by pursuing them in our

unavoidable daily encounters and conflicts with others.

            For example, when we express our political opinions or

views related to anything social or cultural or even religious, we

should try our best to be respectful with one another.

            Even in our sharpest disagreements, we should see to it

that we remain courteous, civil and friendly. We should learn how to

disagree agreeably, without poisoning the air around.

            To be avoided at all costs are inflammatory language,

insults, ad hominems, all kinds of fallacies, sarcasm, ironies, etc.

These do not advance our dialogues and exchanges.

            We should see to it that we have a good grip of our

emotions, our temper, our tongue, and much more, our hand. Rather,

let’s follow what St. Peter once said:

            “If you are a speaker, speak in words which seem to come

from God…so that in everything God may receive the glory…” (1 Pt

4,10-11)