Saturday, May 21, 2005

Reflections on Scripture - The Book of Wisdom

The following posts are my reflections based upon Scripture and upon a reflection of my life at this present time. Each time I pick up the Scripture I am amazed at the things that are revealed. My first reflections here are based upon the Book of Wisdom. Over time I hope to add further reflections based upon other Scriptures: "Love justice, you who rule over the world. Think mightily of God, seek Him with simplicity of heart, for he reveals himself to those who do not challenge him and is found by those who do not distrust Him." (Wisdom 1:1-2) I am blown away by these very words because the human author of the Book of Wisdom, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit has captured the very essence of what God expects from each and every one of us: Justice. It is there and it is what is expected from those who are placed into positions of trust. Our rulers are expected to rule with justice, yet they do not accept the will of God when they allow injustice to happen to innocent men and women. How can we seek the Lord with simplicity of heart? When I read and reflect upn these words, I am reminded of the simplicity of a brain injured woman by the name of Theresa Schindler, a woman who was condemned to death by a judge even though she had not committed a crime. One of the lawyers involved in her case, Barbara Weller, spoke of the heart wrenching moment when Theresa was told that nothing more could be done to save her life, and how at the mention of the name of Jesus, Theresa laughed. That simplicity of heart shows me how Jesus was with Theresa in her final days. The laugh the ushered forth from Theresa tells me that throughout the 15 year ordeal, instigated by an unfaithful husband, Theresa was being comforted by Jesus. It was Jesus who gave her the strength to not give into they tyranny of the actions of Michael Schiavo. This innocent woman bore a lot in those 15 years because there were times when she was denied access to her family due to the spite of Michael Schiavo. Now that I understand the nature of being simplicity at heart, I look and see an admonition in those few words from the opening of the Book of Wisdom. The opening reads: "Love justice, you who rule over the world". This is an admonition that goes to the very heart of everything that is wrong in my world today. There is a lack of justice, for those who are responsible for the interpretation of the law are taking it upon themselves to bring about changes that are plunging us further and further into the mire of the culture of death. Theresa Schindler did not have to die. She was forced to die because her husband wanted her to be dead. She was brain injured, and she was alive. She was not living in a coma, but was in a minimally conscious state. She was being fed by a PEG tube because she needed time to recover from her injuries. Since 1992 Theresa Schindler was not allowed to receive any form of therapy or testing. Her husband attempted several times to murder her by refusing to allow the giving of antibiotics, in the full knowledge that she could end up with blood poisoning that would have ended her life. The probate judge knew about the accusations regarding these attempts to kill Theresa, yet he failed to remove Michael Schiavo as guardian. To add insult to injury, the judge, who acted with such injustice towards a disabled woman, George Greer, has received awards because of his handling of the case. The awards were given by self-interested parties who wanted the status quo of guardianship rorting in Florida to remain. The injustice in this case allows the continuance of those who are not able to look after themselves to remain vulnerable under the guardianship rules enforced in the probate courts. The lack of justice looks like a defeat and a victory for Satan, yet the death of Theresa Schindler is in reality a defeat for Satan, not victory, since her death marks the beginning of the end for the culture of death. For the moment the lawyers are crowing over the victory of injustice, and they continue to push their perverted notion of a right to die with dignity, attempting in their wake to force death upon those who are not dying but are severely disabled. Instead of ensuring an outcome that is justice, our judges are afraid of lsoing face. It is about the culture of "self", of "ego". God is missing from this culture of self, and where God is missing so is justice.