Page 157 - Built For God Handbook (Annotated and Explained Edition) - The Christian Edition of the Tao Te Ching - The New Evangelization - Pope John Paul II

63

The opening sentence here succinctly captures the spiritual reality of our
world and, indeed, of all creation. It is a marvelous, amazing, beautiful
reality, unfortunately, marred by the fall of our first parents, which theology
terms original sin. As a result, tension, conflict, violence, and weapons of
war have made their nefarious presence felt throughout history.

Humanity’s efforts to make sense of this flawed situation have led some to
develop a just war theory. But little by little, hopefully, humanity is moving
towards living by the Spirit of God. The teachings of the wisest among us
decry war, violence, and especially nuclear weapons as immoral. At a
minimum, the wise and those with more profound sensitivity will have
compassion for the losers of any conflict and avoid boasting about it, as
there are no winners in war and violence.

Ultimately, we are challenged by the one who gave us his Spirit, to live by
his teaching to love God, one another, ourselves, even our enemies, and all
of creation, as well as live his new way of life. This new way of life is rooted
in the Beatitudes, calling us to be poor in spirit, merciful, gentle, just,
peaceful, pure of heart, compassionate, and non-violent.

a
2 Corinthians 10:2-6; Matthew 26:52-54; Ecclesiastes 9:16-18;
c
d
Proverbs 13:14; Psalm 37:7-9; Proverbs 24:17-18; Proverbs 21:30-31;
b
e
Proverbs 13:1-21; Romans 12:19; Matthew 5:22