We all search for that moment of kindness and thoughtfulness, for we are naturally loving and caring. It is a pernicious reality that faces us for the most part, however. From the time we open our eyes in consciousness, we are presented with situations that belie this fact. They cast doubt of this truth. Negative imagery, angry cars, and gruff people are like foot soldiers reinforcing the gloom in society – its lack of empathy and caring. But just when it seems overwhelming, there is a spark of hope. We come across that refreshingly honest individual, that happy clerk, and the ever-present joyous child.
Recently, I witnessed the caring and love of our society first-hand. There is an old woman in our neighborhood who collects bags and boxes to sell to a recycling depot. She is stunningly ambitious for her age and demeanor. She is stooped from what appears to be some sclerotic condition (1) and has the badge of poverty emblazoned on her clothes because of their filth. In short, she smells and is unattractive. This, most assuredly, has not endeared her to the local inhabitants. She has the habit of finding some “inconspicuous endroit” to store her items before she carts them off to the local cardboard purchaser. A while ago, she decided one of the portals to our building was that place. What began as one neatly folded box exploded into many stacks of corrugated paper. A subset of her manic collection is an interest in disused metal items, as well. You can visualize the disorderliness, I am sure. This got to an intolerable level and then the necessary officials were summoned. They arrived, Keystone cop-like, (2) in several vehicles with the larger collection trucks in tow. The collection was unceremoniously removed – much to her rather loud protests. The sidewalk was swept and washed – job done!
For several days there was no activity and then, much like wasps building a nest, she began anew – a box here, a bag there. Slowly the paper mountain began to build. Neater this time, but its intent was the same. This was to be the main assembly point for the lady’s “scrounges.” Just when the tower began to peak, the bureaucrats were again summoned. This time they arrived in force, the woman obviously being some type of subversive and therefore potentially dangerous. The uniformed personnel milled around waiting for the order to act and, in reality, enforce the law. The old woman also resuscitated her original protestations. It was pure bedlam, to say the least. Here is where I attribute the statement: “love for my fellow man.” Some rather elderly government agent went over to the wizened lady, calmed her down and extracted a promise to remove the assembled collection in a short period of time. As if given a reprieve from a death sentence, she stopped wailing and nodded in agreement. Remarkable in its simplicity: everyone “got back on the bus” and left. The area was again quiet. True to her word, in the next few weeks, the mound was removed. This whole situation occurred in the dignified manner that every society should demand from its people. All citizens, the rich and the not-so-rich are all part of the Common Good, are we not? St. Thomas Aquinas (3) leaves us with a thought: Law; an ordinance of reason for the common good, made by him who has care of the community.
A closing thought: In today’s competitive society, I often remind myself that there are many who are not so lucky and not so entitled. It behooves all of us to show them the dignity and respect that they deserve. Many do not want or cannot involve themselves in this materially-based civilization. I am not discussing the beggar, the drunkard, or the slackard, that is a different story. It will be necessary to expand our definition of the Common Good and include the dirty and unwashed – the hardworking poor. A society can only be as strong as its weakest link. How we care for the underclasses will define the zeitgeist of our age. We can hope that the Internet is teaching inclusion to all its members, not the opposite.
To sum up: This week, we spoke about the concept of love in our society and what that means for everyone.
A philosophical question: why does it only rain heavily when you decide that today porting an umbrella is unnecessary?
Just for fun – Alessandro Marcello
This week, on your enjoyable walk, please reflect on the love of my fellow man. Is this concept real?
Every day look for something magical and beautiful.
Quote: The fool and the lost also have a message of value.
Footnotes:
2)Â The Policemen’s Little Run (1907) – 1st Slapstick Chase Trick Film