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Introduction: Although I am a Protestant Christian, I
believe firmly that it is imperative now that the great
faiths of the world begin to recognize their commonalities
and not focus on their differences! It is time to stop
sending pain to God via our pain sent to one another.
I ask that the non-religious consider also the story to
follow from a humanistic viewpoint. The Prof about whom I
write in this short piece taught at one of the
religiously-affiliated institutions at which I studied.
Since I personally believe that God will deal with those who
acted as they did, I do not want to embarrass anyone.
My prof had an M.A. from Oxford! He had the graciousness
to put up with my classmates and me! He was alone in life;
for many years he had been a monk. On occasion, we would
have class in his small apartment. That would allow, of
course, for a snack and a more casual atmosphere, pleasant
to us -- but unknown to me, needed by him.
He had no family.
He had no friends.
But he taught at a strict Christian institution.
How fortunate we were.
Then he was no longer in our classroom. Why? I heard
later.
Because someone had found him sleeping off a drunk at a
nearby park.
???Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound!??? -- famous
Protestant-based hymn.
???Love your neighbor, as yourself!??? -- the Second Great
Commandment
from Elohim Adonai Yahweh, God of Israel. ???Love the
Children of the Book!??? from Mohammed and referring to
Christians and Jews.
Catholics: please consider the love of St. Francis and
St. Vincent de Paul.
Was Prof DWI/DUI? Had he broken the law?
Had he directly hurt someone?
No.
He was a potential example of the power of love.
I believe that he was a test -- not for himself; he knew
his dark loneliness, as did Poe lying in the Raven??™s shadow.
As did the Man of Sorrows. He was a test for others.
The Apostle Paul wrote that without caring love, Xaritas,
he was nothing!
In the drama of the ages, there are many roles. Some of
honor and fame, some of apparent dishonor. The task of all
of us who claim
any love for others is to reach out and try to help, not
to throw them away. And is not education itself supposed to
have the power to cause change? (James Mill, father of John
Stuart Mill).
I wonder if those in authority who threw away my Prof
lived perfect lives.
I hope so.
Vance G. Agee
VGAgee@aol.com |
