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Fr. Joseph L. Ziliak + The Evansville Courier & Press
+ Saturday, July 31, 2004
The talents and skills of individuals
are always of source of amazement, joy and gratitude.
Some are excellent at cooking, growing flowers,
cleaning, maintaining buildings and lawns, construction of major road
and bridge works, delicate finish work with wood, sewing, writing,
speaking articulately and with colorful imagery, caring for automobiles,
composing music that raises the spirit, painting and sculpturing inner
beauty, knowing the intricacies of financial issues, the law, health
care, transportation and distribution of goods and services, supporting
those chronically or terminally ill, making technology work, inventing
new tools and achieving greatness in athletic events.
The list is as long and detailed as the
world in which we live. Our family members, neighbors, relatives and
friends are all part of this wondrous and interrelated picture of
men and women adding to the body of human endeavor.
The creativity and accomplishments of people
are simply astounding. We can say these same things in country after
country across the globe. How many people participate in the gifts
of the spirit and the glories of nature may vary from place to place
and land to land.
The yearnings of the human spirit for security,
educational opportunity, housing that is sufficient, food and nourishment
that is health giving, freedoms to expand personal talents, unencumbered
access to religious practice, jobs and markets for expansion, doors
that are open, unbiased treatment as fellow humans, lack of judgement
with the color of skin, the clothes that are worn, the places where
one lives – all are universal signs of the oneness of humans around
this good earth.
Why would anyone attempt to deprive another
of opportunities for advancement? Why would anyone wish to destroy
the homes where people live or the goods that they possess? Why would
anyone wish to take away the breath of life to the young or the old?
Why would anyone wish to cheat and take away that which rightfully
belongs to another? Why would anyone wish to destroy their own lives
or ruin their own health? Why would anyone prejudge others to tear
them down or take away their good name?
All the efforts toward righteousness begin
with the recognition that we are dependent on God. That we are brothers
and sisters. That all that we have is not really ours, but is a gift
from our God. That our efforts of friendship and care will change
the hearts and minds of others. That we are all destined for eternal
life and a place of peace, harmony and love.
Are these simply ideals and impossible to
achieve? Not at all. Just as the journey of a thousand miles begins
with the first step, so does a new world begin with that first step
that you and I take. We can make a difference in our own homes, in
our neighborhoods, in our churches, in our local communities, in our
places of work, and with family and friends spread across this land
and across the globe.
These times of political conventions and
elections, these days of regular reports of hate and hostility among
men and women locally and in foreign lands, are the occasions for
us to re-commit our lives, our thoughts, our readings, our viewings,
our dreams to a vision of oneness among all God’s creatures and creations.
May God be with us in our weaknesses. May God strengthen us to use
the wonderful talents and skills we have to leave our world a better
place when we have been called to a new life.
Father Joseph L. Ziliak is pastor of St.
John the Baptist Catholic Church in Newburgh, IN.
