Now I don’t speak of argumentation in the colloquial sense wherein two parties are combative in their position which borders on domestic violence. I speak rather of the Scholastic understanding where a person moves from known premises (facts) and arrives at an unknown conclusion. Not that the conclusion is unknown to human awareness but that it is unclear between the two parties engaged in discussion. This very event occurred this morning in the seminary after mass and brunch. We were gathered in our corridor kitchen, enjoying a cup of freshly ground coffee and a new discussion popped up regarding the effectiveness of prayer and how a prayer is answered. One of our brothers was getting very worked up and his position was awkwardly received due to his tangential approach to the issue. Now, this being a Sunday, the Sabbath, a day designated for familial union and focus on the community, the group present for this argument stuck around to work it out. One of the men slowed the cadence of the argument down to a manageable speed and we walked through the issue step by step. In the end we discovered that we were arguing the same point against one another from various perspectives. Now we all realized this after an intense hour of sorting out the pieces of our discussion.
I learned an important lesson today, attached to any argument are many elements which do not meet the eye: regional upbringing, religious education, pride, emotion and the like. Once one can eliminate the superfluous elements of the argument and hone in on the point at hand, then, and only then, can true progress be made. Today, this was done by incorporating appropriate silence and honest listening. Why do most people get worked up about their positions in life? Because they do not think that they are being understood. The knowledge that they possess is not understood by others. We, being social beings, long to be of one mind with those who are close to us. This is a lesson that, by the help of my sister and many others, I have been able to grow into. And how edifying it is to allow those who are close to us come to greater understanding as they express that which they are passionate about.
After having said all this the current political situation at home in the US comes to mind. There are many points of view and everyone has their own reason for defending that which they hold to be pertinent to our country’s future leadership. How mature and fruitful would political conversations be if there were more listening and thinking occurring as there was the expression one’s views, considering that which was unconsidered? This is how we broaden our minds, this is how we enrich our understanding, this is how we as social beings pull together and enliven the world in which we live.
This focus on the other (or not-self) is an element of wisdom which underlies the diversity of people. We know that each person is different which is seen in the diversity of gifts and abilities in each person. Our mature communication with others opens our minds and deepens our insights. It is said that if a memorable event were to occur that there would be as many different accounts of the story as there were people who witnessed it. This can be said because different facets of the same situation appeal to each individual differently. And this was the fun of this morning’s discussion regarding prayer. We all believe the same thing (the unchanging and ever-stable Truth, which is Christ), but how we understand this same thing is different according to our individuality; therefore, when we listened to what each had to say regarding prayer we all left with a few more insights than we had before embarking on the said discussion. Not only did we grow in knowledge, but we grew in unity as our minds were drawn up together in mature discussion.
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I hope the onset of this Lenten Season has not caught you off guard. Having its commencement so close to the Season of Christmas emphasizes the necessary multiplicity of focus in our faith, being mindful of the Joy which Christ brings to the world while remembering that He came into the world to die that we may live in Him. (bitter-sweet when one thinks about it) We who, if it were not for Him, would have no ability to live for we are ever sustained by God who had us in mind from the beginning of time. This Lenten Season Pope Benedict XVI has encouraged the Church to fast from the busyness of their lives as he appeals to the truth of God’s voice being heard in the silence of our hearts. May we be encouraged, by the Grace of God, to calm the waters of our daily lives so that His voice may resound within. Each of us quiets the waters within differently, may you turn to the Holy Spirit who dwells within each of our hearts that you may know how to be still in Him who is Peace!
