Actual Grace

Strange how yesterday I posted about Cardinal Francois-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan's political beatitudes and this morning I was reading Magnificat and today's meditation was by Cardinal Francis-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan.  BTW, he is now Venerable.

What impressed me in his meditation was what he said about misery.  Remember he was 13 years a prisoner in Vietnam, 9 in solitary.

Jesus comes to meet human misery.  Saving us, he made his Gospel and his grace the renewing principle of the world and, above all, of humanity in all areas of existence: private and public, cultural and social, political and economic...

I think of my "cloistered brothers."  The world may scoff that they found God in prison, but they were too busy to give Him a thought before their incarceration.  

Beatitudes of the Politician

The pope's New Year's message on peace recalls Cardinal Francois-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan's proposal called the "Beatitudes of the Politician."

Blessed be the politician with a lofty sense and deep understanding of his role.

Blessed be the politician who personally exemplifies credibility.

Blessed be the politician who works for the common good and not his/her own interest.

Blessed be the politician who remains consistent.

Blessed be the politician who works for unity.

Blessed be the politician who works to accomplish radical change.

Blessed be the politician who is capable of listening.

Blessed be the politician who is without fear.

One thing is certain: good politics is at the service of peace.  Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan should know.  He spent 14 years in prison, 9 of them in solitary confinement and he committed no crime.  Politics, pure and simple.